JR   
This telegram must be                              Paris
closely paraphrased                               
before being communi-                              Dated May 31, 1940
cated to anyone. (D)                                   
                                                        Rec'd 7:25 a.m.
 
Secretary of State,
 
          Washington
 
          Rush
     
     962, May 31, noon (SECTION TWO)
     
     I believe that if we had sent the Atlantic fleet on a visit either to Greece or Tangier when
first I made the recommendation more than two weeks ago Mussolini would not have dared to
treat pressure of our Government to keep him out of war in the manner that he has.
     I gather from your telegram under reference that you now consider inevitable the entrance
of Italy into the war.
     I feel sure that you realize the consequences that a stab in the back by Italy at this moment
may have for France and England as well as the consequences it may have later this year for South
America and the United States.  I trust that no member of the American Government is still
cherishing in the words of Reynaud "fatuous and naive illusions as to the virtues of Mussolini"
and that the moment he stabs you will take every economic and financial measure that
constructive imagination can devise to weaken Italy.
                         BULLITT
 
RR