Increasingly Forlorn: Welles Heads Home via Rome

Abstract

Once back in Rome Welles called upon the full range of his diplomatic skills and experience in pursuing the mission’s objectives. His priorities, with the likelihood of the offensive shortening as every day passed, were to prolong the “phony war” and perpetuate Italian neutrality. Welles attempted to achieve these by maintaining a dialogue with Ciano and Mussolini that encouraged them to think of themselves as potentially pivotal to peace. Further, Welles hoped that the fact that he was still discussing Italy’s role might engender some doubt as to what might happen at the mission’s conclusion. This proved impossible as Mussolini set out to test how far Welles was prepared to involve the United States in the conflict in Europe. When Welles declined Mussolini’s offer to discuss the American’s views with Hitler, any doubts in the minds of Mussolini over the American position were dismissed. Welles knew he was in no position to make any commitment to European security on behalf of the United States in the spring of 1940. Mussolini’s offer in mid-March revealed the limitations that “exploring the possibilities of peace” had in terms of Welles creating the impression that the United States might play a part. In this situation Welles’ attention focused on the gathering of information in an environment where catastrophe appeared imminent.