My dear Mr. Under Secretary:

On my visit to you this morning I explained to you that the United States representatives in New York had been instructed very confidentially to discuss with the principal United Nations representatives of Belgium, Canada, China, France and the United Kingdom the question of Italian application for United Nations membership. For many reasons the forthcoming Italian elections on April 18 are of paramount importance and in the opinion of the Department of State it is essential that every effort be made to prevent the Communists from winning or substantially increasing their strength in these elections. Indeed, to European countries this matter may even be of more immediate importance than it is in this hemisphere. In any foreseeable future it would seem that the present time appears the most opportune to obtain a favorable recommendation on the Italian application, and should the application be approved of course the Italian people would recognize their indebtedness to the western nations. It is clear that under the immediate circumstances it would be embarrassing to the Soviets to veto the Italian application for yet another time, and indeed if they should so veto it could not but help to injure seriously the Communist chances in the forthcoming Italian elections. It is even possible that such a third veto might be a determining election factor.

I may add, as of significance in this particular matter, that the Soviets have only recently advocated continued Italian control for former Italian colonies and thereby increased the prestige of the Soviets within Italy itself. The question may be raised as to why this matter of membership should be brought up at this time, particularly when it may he necessary that it should be preceded by Five Power discussions and consultations. However that may be, the fact remains that this is probably the most likely time to achieve approval of the Italian application, and the Department of State feels it essential that the democracies mentioned above should cooperate closely together. There is reason to believe these six countries cooperating could secure sufficient (or at least one) other favorable votes for favorable action.

Although in general its position remains unchanged, in view of the Czech developments the Department of State believes it more important than ever that such countries as Roumania and Hungary should not be admitted. The Department of State believes that with certain interim reservations as to Finland all pending applications should be re-examined.

In presenting the Italian applications before the United Nations, the Department of State feels that a reason could be advanced based on the special provision in the General Assembly's resolutions on Italian and Transjordan applications, which calls for immediate reconsideration by the Assembly in its next meeting. The argument could further he advanced that time did not permit detailed reconsideration and that pending consultation by the Big Five countries the matter had been delayed. Therefore, the Security Council had failed to give due weight to the urgent character of this special provision in the General Assembly's resolutions and this matter should be remedied without delay.

It would be most helpful in the Department of State's deliberations to know, with the least possible delay, whether the Government of Canada would be prepared to accept these arguments in favor of raising forthwith the Italian application to United Nations membership? Also, in determining future policy in a firm opposition to the satellite country applications other than Finland, what the position of the Canadian Government might be? ]n regards Finland in particular, what is the present thought of the Canadian Government?

The question of timing is essential since if any action by the democratic countries is to be effective in Italy it must he immediate and the Security Council itself should act not later than the last week in March.

I should be grateful for an opportunity to further discuss these views at an early moment.

Sincerely yours,
RAY ATHERTON