ADSS 1.145 Orsenigo to Maglione: Armistice suggestion came from Belgium.

ADSS 1.145 Cesare Orsenigo, Germany, to Luigi Maglione, Sec State.

Reference: Telegram number 337; (AES 6049/39)

Location and date: Berlin, received Rome, 29.08.1939

Summary statement: Suggestion was made by the Belgian Ambassador.  Immediate war forecasts are very gloomy.

Language: Italian

Text:

Coded messages received … (1)

The armistice in favour of the respective minorities had been suggested by the Belgian Ambassador (2) and I think of his own initiative.

The same person having now authorised me to reveal his name in confidence (he said) that the British Ambassador (3) returns today at 21.00hrs and will report immediately to Hitler.

Immediate war forecasts are very gloomy

Notes: 

(1) ADSS 1.139, 141.

(2) Vicomte Jacques Davignon (1887-1965), Belgian Ambassador to Germany 1935-40.

(3) Neville Henderson (1882-1942), British Ambassador to Germany 1937-39.  Henderson had been engaged in “shuttle diplomacy” between London and Berlin communicating the requests and demands of the British government.