ADSS 1.164 Valeri to Maglione: time running out

ADSS 1.164 Valerio Valeri, France, to Luigi Maglione, Sec State.

Reference: Telegram number 126; (AES 5878/39)

Location and date: Paris, 31.08.1939

Summary statement: Public opinion believes next 48 hours will be decisive.  A delay of 15 days would help.  Perhaps Franco could help.

Language: Italian

Text:

After Polish mobilisation political circles here believe the next forty-eight hours will be decisive. (1)

The Minister of Foreign Affairs (2) tells me that it would be providential if the parties in conflict accepted a delay of ten or fifteen days to try and find a solution.

He mentioned to me the possibility of the intervention of His Holiness and General Franco.  Perhaps if the Holy Father did not think it opportune to intervene, he could influence Franco.

Notes: 

(1) The order for General Mobilisation in Poland was given the day before, 30.08.1939.

(2) Georges Bonnet (1889-1957), French Foreign Minister 1938-39.

ADSS 1.122 Valeri to Maglione: French reaction to Pius XII's speech

ADSS 1.122 Valerio Valeri, France, to Luigi Maglione, Sec State.

Reference: Telegram number 8973/278, AES 5887/39

Location and date: Paris, 25.08.1939

Summary statement: Pope’s peace message has been well received in France as well as FDR’s message to Victor Emanuel III.  France has taken last measures for mobilisation.

Language: Italian

Text:

If we leave out L’Humanite, and it it right to do so, the entire Press, including the Populaire which carries an article by M. Blum (1), today reports favourably on the moving address of the Holy Father to the Rulers of the peoples and to the peoples themselves. (2)

Mr Roosevelt’s message to His Majesty the King of Italy has also been reported with the same sympathy. (3)

These two interventions have rekindled a ray of hope in the minds of the people.  The Government, however, continues its preparations as if war were imminent.  Yesterday evening all the citizens, whose presence in Paris was not necessary, were invited, to leave the city is they so wished, and to take advantage of train services which still run regularly.

Notes: 

(1) Leon Blum (1872-1950), former French Prime Minister 1936-37, 1938.  Leader of the socialist Popular Front.

(2) ADSS 1.113.

(3) DDI, series 8, Volume 13, n185, pp 123-24.