CONFIDENTIAL
The Secretary for
External Affairs
MEMORANDUM
COVERING THE EVENTS ·LEADING UP TO THE CLOSING OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN
Submit ted by Dr. H.M. STOKER, formerly
Charge d’Affaires a i. of· the. South
African Legation, Rome.
- POLITICAL
As
indicated in my confidential report of May 29th, the entrance of Italy into the
war on the side of Germany had become a certainty. That is was only a question
of days became increasingly evident. Until this time, some supposedly well-informed
persons were still maintaining that there was still a good chance of Italy’s
still holding off. I continued my contacts and calls. During the first week of June
it appeared particularly from the Americans that they expected the crisis
definitely from the 15th June on. The British and French viewing it
as a certainty, did not, however, commit themselves to me so definitely as to
the date.
Knowing
that it would probably be our last such occasion, we had invited for dinner on
Saturday evening, June 8th, some of those with whom I had been in closest contact:
Sir Noel and Lady Charles (British Embassy Minister), Rear Admiral Bevin
(British Naval Attaché), Commander and Mrs. Thornton (Naval ..Text missing….Counselor
of the French Embassy), Mr. and Mrs. Blake (American Consul) and Mr. Balfour
(Director of Barclays’s Bank, Rome).
As
examples of the state of tension which affairs suddenly reached by that Saturday
evening, the French guests telephoned a half hour before dinner asking to be excused,
as they were packing to leave , Rear Admlral Bevan and Mr Balfour telephoned to
ask if they mlght come in lounge suits
as they had no time to ohange for 8: 30.
Lady
Charles, on entering the reception room said to Mrs. Stoker “I do wish that you
were certain to be leaving with us on our ship in a few days!" Sir Noel mage occasion to speak to·me asideas
soon as possible. He said that he had wanted to see me urgently as he had receIved
some important information late that afternoon and that hewould take this opportunlty
to tell me that the'B:rltish now considered war inevitable wlthin the next four
days. During more general ccnversa tion it was apparent that the Americans
still voiced thelr ambassador's views, which he had expressed, to me during
that week previously, namely that that they expected events to shape not before
the 15th June.
As
a result, particularly of the information received from Sir Noel, . I despatched
to you in the early hours of Sunday morning, June 9th, an immediate
cable to Pretoria, the contents or which are known to you.
Events,
however, in reality, deve1oped at an unexpected tempo. On Monday morning, June
l0th,,at about 11 a.m. word passed quIckly that the usual placard announcement
that the Duce was to speakpublicly, were appearing all over the city. The hour'
was to be 6 p. m. Rome time. This was the danger signal, for Mussolini himself
had stated in an earlier speech that he would not speak in public again unless
he had something of eminent importance to say. At 10 minutes before the speech
of the Duce from the balcony of Piazza. Venetia, Sir Noel Charles te1ophoned me
that his Ambassador bad just returned from the Foreign Office where the
declaration of war had been handed him by the at once made sure that the
declaration was specifically on the United Kingdom and France, and asked Sir
Noel whether mention at aIl had been made by the Italian Government to the
other allies or the other Dominions (which have no separate representation in
Rome). He replied in the negative, and this was confiimed by Mussolini’s speech
soon after. My position therefore remainded unchanged v Is-a-vis the Italian
Government until such time as I should receive instructions from 'the Union
Government.
Direct
contact with the British was o£ course thenceforth impossible, save through the
intermediary of the American Embassy ( protecting Power). Through the American
Naval Attache, however, I secured an appointment with Sir Noel Charles for
10:30 p.m., to bid him good-bye, as I knew the British would be leaving w thin
24 hours for Ancona, there to embark on the ship which would take them to Lisbon.
As
I was about to leave the Legation, your cable arrived, which had been despatched
from Pretoria at about 4 p.m. that afternoon, in answer to my immediate cable
of the previous day.
I
instructed the Attaché, Mr Bruce, to proceed at once with the decoding. I asked
him to telephone me if I were still at Sir Noel’s, if the contents required my
immediate attention. He accordingly telephoned me and I returned to the
Legation as quickly as the first night of black-out conditions in Rome
permitted. The contents of your cable, although despatched from Pretoria before
Mussolini’s declaration of war on Great Britain and France were fortunately
stated in such a manner that I could react to them immediately and I realized
that I must act quickly as barely 24 hours were at my disposal to proceed to
Ancono, with the British.
By
telephone I at once sought for an interview with the Italian Foreign Minister
or Signor Ansaldo, permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs.
I
succeeded in making the appointment at the Italian Foreign office for 12
midnight and after having changed to appropriate dress, the American Naval
Attaché took me in his car to my destination. I was conducted to the office of
the Foreign Minister and was received by Count Ciano who walked the length of
the office to meet me. He was dressed in a dark suit and had a white flower in
his button hole and apparently came from a party. He requested me to be seated
next to him. I stated that I had come on instructions of my government and
handed him the official letter requesting the passports etc. Attached to this
were three copies of the names and addresses of the South African Legation
staff and their families.
He
read it through calmly and asked whether, since the contents made only mention
of passports etc, and nothing about a declaration of war, it should be
interpreted as meaning that diplomatic relations only had been broken off
between the two Governments. I answered that I had been instructed only to
request the passports. But I added that in my personal opinion there was no
doubt in my mind but that the Union was at war with Italy and that I surmised
th the Union Government had given the actual declaration to his Minister in
Pretoria. I advanced this as my personal opinion since I felt that I had to
give a clear and decisive answer to his question. I was reasonably sure that
the Union Government would have informed mehad diplomatic relations only been
broken off. I felt that my reply was the only correct one as my former Minister
in Berlin had had a similar experience. Moreover, it was in general agreement with
the spirit or the instructions contained in your Secret Circular.
I
mention this part of my conversation with Count Ciano in particular for the
reason that the following day the Italian newspapers carried an inaccurate
report of my conversation with the Foreign Minister. The report is enclosed.
Translated it reads as follows:
“Declaration of War on Italy by British Dominion
The Charge d’Affaires of the Union of South Africa ·last night
informed the Minister for Foreign' Affairs . Count Ciano, that he has received
instructions from his Government to request his passports and those of his staff,
ad has added that such a communication must be considered as equivalent to a declaration
of a state of war between Italy and the Union of South Africa.”
Any courtesies and arrangements for our departure were now biding in
the hands of
the Italian Government.
Count Ciano himself then suggested that
it might be possible for the South Africa Legation to leave at the same time as
was arranged for the British, namely to leave Rome by train at 11 p.m. on
Tuesday night June 11th for Ancona and to proceed on the same boat with them
·to Lisbon.
I immediately took this up and stated that I would appreciate it
very much if such
arrangements could
be made and added that I was sure that I would be able to make my arrangements
connected with the closing of the Legation and the departure of the staff and
families within the then remaining 23 hours. Ciano replied that he would see
what could be done and said that he would inform me in the course of the
morning.
After
the exchange of a few more words I made ready to go. Count Ciano accompanied me
to the door and after a mutual expression of personal greetings I took my leave.
With
respect to the above interview I must state that the Italian Foreign Minister behaved
throughout correct and courteous.
On
returning to the Legation I at once informed all the staff members of the
tentative arrangement and all proceeded to finish packing and close their
affairs.
During
my absence from the Legation contact had been established and an appointment
made with Mr M.P. Hooper of the American Embassy and officer in charge. I
proceeded by car to his house at about 1.30 a.m. and handed to him the official
letter addressed to his Ambassador, containing the provisional request to take charge
of Union Nationals, property and interests in Italy. We proceeded with the business
which was completed the 'next day at about six o'clock p.m. at which time the
American Embassy officials placed their seals on the doors of the Legation entrance.
2. ADMINISTRATIVE
The
aggravation of the political situation in Italy since the beginning of the second
quarter in 1940, her increasingly hostile attitude, particularly toward England
and the likelihood of her participation in the war on the side of the enemy, made
it necessary to take a number of precautionary measures concerning the closing
of the Legation in case war should break out. It was possible due largely to
the full co-operation and able assistance of the Legation staff when war actually did break out and depart from Rome
on a day's notice.
The
British and French Embassies had already established some considerable time before
the outbreak of hostilities, informal contact with the Italian Protocol
Division in regard to the number and the manner o! evacuation of the respective
diplomatic and consular officials in Rome (there were about 200 British officials
and their families to be evacuated) as well as with the American Embassy whose Government
would act as Protecting Power in the event or war.
These
contacts and the provisional arrangements that resulted therefrom had the
approval of the Governments concerned. They had in fact already reached quite
an advanced stage as is evidenced by the fact that before war was declared the
British were already informed by the Protocol of their respective reservations on
the diplomatic train, and that the British Embassy had already in their
possession a oopy of the reply to the copy of their official letter to the
American Ambassador concerning the taking charge of British interests etc. in
Italy. The originals were of course exchanged the day the war broke out.
Moreover,
I tried to keep myself as well informed as possible in this connection and the
experience gained in Germany was of great assistance.
I
was informed for instance that in the event of war with the United Kingdom each
individual, including children, would be allowed to take two trunks (heavy luggage
for the van) plus a reasonable amount of hand baggage and suitcases for the
compartment. Incidentally, the South African Legation later was allowed the
same baggage allowance which proved to be quite adequate and all the staff was
in a position to take their personal effects and clothing with them.
Furthermore,
drafts of the official letters to the Italian Government and to the head of the
Mission of the Protecting Power in the event of war were already prepared some
time in advance.
On several occasions, however officials
of the American Embassy approached me informally ln regard to the arrangements
we were making in the event of war and the name of the Mission which would be requested
to take charge of our interests etc. Concerning
the latter part of the above question I informed them that I have received as
hyet no information.
On
Monday morning June 10th Mr. Hooper of the American Embassy and officer in
charge for the taking over of the British and French interests etc., telephoned
me from the Embassy. He asked me if I knew whether the Union Government had
made any approaches to the United States Government to act as Protecting Power
in the event the event of war. I replied that I had no information on this
point. He said that if it was the intention to ask the United States Government
to act as Protecting Power, in the event of war, it would be of material
assistance to them to be informed of it
as soon as possible. He even suggested that he visit me within the next three
days to talk things over. Realising the immediateness of the crisis I
determined to use my own discretion. I seized the opportunity. thus created and
requested an immediate interview with him at the Embassy. There we discussed pertinent
matters of interest and he readily assented to my suggestion to retain the servi
ces of Mr. Balboni, office Keeper of the Legation, should the American
Government be the Protecting Power. I have your authorisation for the retention
of Mr. Balboni's services on the condition that the mission who takes charge
agrees. I am enclosing a letter from Mr.
Hooper of the 24th June 1940 addressed to me at Lisbon.in which he specifically
makes mention of being satisfied with Mr. Balboni.
Soon
after my return from the Embassy to the Legation I was informed of Mussolini’s
speech whlch was 'to take place at 6 p.m. that evening. As the banks in Italy close
at 11.30 a.m. it was too late to withdraw the lire balance of nearly 5000 lire
from the bank. An unsuccessful earlier
attempt had been made to transfer the bulk of the starling account by cable to
London. Reference in this connection is made in my minute from Lisbon of 2nd
July 1940 in regard to the May and June accounts of the Rome Legation.
Immediately
after war had been declared on Great Britian , the British secret cyphers which
had not been destroyed before were destroyed by fire. The Embassy was duly
informed of the destruction.
Upon
the entry of the Union into war against Italy the following materials were destroyed
by fire on June 11th. (a) Union Cyphers and codes; (b) balance of blank passports;
(c) Passenger and Goods Rail Warrants; d) Expenditure and general Revenue Receipts.
Certificates
of destruction are enclosed with, respect to a) to d).
By fire was also destroyed the following:
(a) Consular Black
List
(b) Contraband
Control material
(c) Secret and
confidential files.
Enclosed
is a copy of a summary of items handed over to the American Embassy as
Protecting Power. Enclosed herewith is a further receipt of Petty Cash received.
'The American Embassy was furthermore advised in writing, as the enclosed copies
of correspondence show, about the following matter:
(a)
passport and visa work
(b)
payment to South African pensioners of non Italian origin.
(c)
furniture of Legation staff.
They were also advised of Mr. D. Balboni’s
salary and of his monthly allowance for cleaning the Legation premises.
On
June 11th, the Honorary Trade Commissioner for the Union o£ South Africa in
Italy Mr. Viezzoli situated in Genoa was officially advised o£ the termination
of his title and services.
I
furthermore enclose herewith (a) Mr. Balboni's incremental certificate (in
duplicate)
(b) the official reply
of the American Ambassor in reply to my letter of June l0th, requesting him to
take charge provisionally of our interests etc. in Italy.
(c) List o£
Archives and Index to Commercial Files. The files destroyed by fire are crossed
out by red pencil.
(d) Library List.
The two sets of
keys belonging to the big safe were handed to the Lisbon Legation for Safe keeping
as well as the lower part of the Union's embossing seal. A receipt for those
articles is attached. The rest of the embossing seal was placed in the big safe
along with all the rubber stamps a sample copy of the latter is enclosed. The
balance of the Consu1ar stamps were also taken over by the Lisbon Legation. Of
this you have already been informed.
3. Departure
from Rome
The
Italian Government posted their guards outside the Legation all during the
night and the next day.
On
Tuesday, June 11th, at 12 o'clock noon, the chef of the Protocol informed me by
telephone that the necessary arrangements had been made for our departure to Ancona
and that they would 'call for us at 11 p.m. to proceed to the station. He also
stated that they will call for all the baggage of the Legation staff at 5 o’clock
that afternoon.
At
11 p.m. the cars placed at our disposal by the Italian Government arrived to
take us to the station. There we were all given adequate and comfortable accommodation
and breakfast next morning before reaching Ancona. From the Ancona station to the ship
"Conte Rosso” we were conveyed in busses and cars. Our accommodation on
the boat were also comfortable. It did not sail however, until the 20th June
and we were held incommunicado during the time, although ,treated very
courteously. The ship was fully lighted after we left the harbour (where it was
blacked out every night)' every night and painted with the Italian flag – and
the word “Diplomat”. Our voyage was uneventful safe perhaps at Catania, off the
Sicilian coast where we stayed for two days and a night. We reached Lisbon on June 26th at 5 p.m. but
due to overcrowded, refugee conditions were not put ashore until the following
morning. Minister Pienaar met us on board on June 26 and handed me your cabled
instructions, according to which Mr Bruce was to proceed to Washington and the
ret of the staff to South Africa.
Mr.
Bruce accordingly proceeded to the United States on July 31rd via the S.S. Nea
Hellas, a Greek ship, and the other members of the staff sailed for the Union on
June 30th on a Japanese boat.
I
having received consent for 38 days leave proceeded to the Uni ted States with
my family on theSS Nea Hellas on July 3rd, returning to the Union on the M. S.
Challenger reaching Cape Town September 21st. I reported for duty In Pretoria
on Monday morning, September 23rd.
Pretoria
27th
September 1940
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