ADSS 1.103 Osborne to Maglione: UK believes Ciano unsuccessful in asking for German moderation over Danzig

ADSS 1.103 D’Arcy Osborne, UK Minister to Holy See, to Luigi Maglione, Sec State.

Reference: AES 5545/39

Location and date: Rome 19.08.1939

Summary statement: London thinks Ciano, was not successful in Salzburg when he asked the Germans to proceed with moderation over Danzig.

Language: French

Text:

I am authorised to communicate, with all due caution, the impression formed in London about Count Ciano’s trip to Salzburg [sic]. (1)

These impressions are that Count Ciano did not meet with great success when trying to induce the Germans to go slow about Danzig; that the Germans were firmly opposed to the idea of a conference; that they showed very little enthusiasm for supporting Italian claims.

Handwritten note by Domenico Tardini.

Given to me by H.E, the British Minister who does not see how war can be avoided, although he is sure that Mussolini does not want it.

Notes: 

(1) In his telegram of 16.08.1939 Osborne informed the British Government that the Secretary of State had asked him for information on the Obersalzburg meetings (DBFP, Series 3, Volume 7, n17, p20).  Lord Halifax replied by his telegram of 18.08.1939 that information was scarce, but he gave this information from which Osborne drew the substance of the memorandum presented to Cardinal Maglione. (Ibid, n61, pp61-62.)  The complete report can be found in DGFP, Series D, Volume 7, n43, pp32-40.