NEGOTIATIONS WITH ITALY

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24052, 14 September 1943, Page 5

NEGOTIATIONS WITH ITALY

MOVES PRECEDING ARMISTICE EMISSARIES SENT TO LISBON (8.0. W.) RUGBY, Sept. 12. An authoritative account of the Italian armistice negotiations has been given in London. In the first week in August British representatives in two neutral countries were approached by Italian diplomats acting on instructions from the Italian Government. Both explained that the situation in Italy was desperate and the second emissary said authoritatively that he had been sent by Marshal Badoglio to discuss possible armistice negotiations. He was informed that the only terms which the Allied Governments would accept would be unconditional surrender. In the middle of August an Italian general, travelling to Portugal ostensibly on another mission, presented himself with his credentials from Marshal Badoglio to the British Ambassador to Madrid (Sir Samuel Hoare) and the following day to the British Ambassador to Lisbon. The general said he had come with full authority from Marshal Badoglio to say that when the Allies landed in Italy the Italians .were prepared to join' them against Germany. This was reported to the British Government, which at once informed the American Government. General Eisenhower and the Soviet Government were, of course, also informed. The British and American Governments, considering that this was a serious approach, decided to inform the Italian Government, through the Italian general, of the.conditions upon which they were prepared to cease hostilities against Italy, These were that Italy must surrender unconditionally and then accept* such terms as the Allies were determined to impose. High officers from General Eisenhower’s headquarters proceeded to Lisbon and, at a meeting over which the British Ambassador presided and which the American Charge d’Affaires attended, they informed the Italian general of these conditions. - Military Terms The general who, of course, could make no answer without consulting his Government, returned to Rome bearing the Allied conditions. These conditions were confined to military terms with a final clause stating that other conditions of a political, economic, and financial character with which Italy would be bound to comply would be communicated later.

The emissary was told that it was for the Italians, by their behaviour, to influence the Allies in applying the terms. Much would depend on how far the Italian Government and people, in fact, aided the United Nations against Germany for the remainder of the war. The Italian Government must undertake to proclaim an armistice immediately it was announced by General Eisenhower. This moment was to be chosen by General Eisenhower to coincide with the landings in the Naples area, which he had planned. The Italian general left Lisbon, but because of the extreme secrecy of his mission he took some time over the return journey. The Italian Government, evidently becoming anxious about his failure to reappear according to schedule, sent a second general to Lisbon, who arrived there on the day of the first general’s return to Rome. As evidence of the genuineness of its intentions, the Italian Government sent with this second emissary MajorGeneral Carton de Wiart, V.C., whom they released from captivity for the purpose. Major-General de Wiart, who was placed under no obligation to return to Italy,, was instructed by the British Government to proceed to England where his arrival was kept a secret lest publication should lead Germany to guess that approaches to the Allies had been made.' Meeting in Sicily

The second Italian general, who corroborated the messages brought by his predecessor, was sent from Lisbon to Allied Headquarters in Algiers. Meanwhile the first general, by arrangement, arrived in Sicily with the answer of the Italian Government. He was met by General Eisenhower’s representative whom the second Italian general accompanied. The answer was that the Italian Government, had it been a free agent, would have been prepared to do what the Allies wished. It was, however, under the control of the Germans and it was therefore impossible for it to announce an armistice before the main Allied landings in Italy.

The envoy was told that the Allies were not prepared to vary their arrangements and he returned to Rome to consult the Government. A final answer was demanded within 24 hours. The following day a message was received at Allied Headquarters saying that the Italian Government had accepted the Allied terms and that its representative would return to sign the armistice. The armistice, in fact, was signed on September 3, in the presence of General Eisenhower and General Alexander, by General Bedell Smith, representing General Eisenhower, and General CStellano, representing Marshal Badoglio. Russia and, of course, the Dominions, were kept closely informed of day to day developments.

While the contacts in Lisbon between the British Ambassador and an accredited representative of the Italian Government were proceeding, Count Grandi arrived in that capital. At no time did any Allied authority have any contact or communication with Count Grandi, whose journey to a neutral country, so far as is known, was made solely on his own initiative.

AXIS SATELLITES IN BALKANS

TALKS IN WASHINGTON EXPECTED

(Rec. 9 p.m.) LONDON. Sept. 13. Mr L. A. Steinhardt, United States Ambassador to Turkey, will leave Ankara by air to-morrow for Washington, says the British United Press correspondent in Istanbul. “It is believed that he will participate in consultations on the Balkans situation, particularly on the chances of persuading the Axis satellites to surrender."