Your D.91 and D.92 Saving. [1] Modification of Italian Armistice
terms.

Australian Government finds the United States proposals for
modification of Italian Armistice terms objectionable for several
reasons:

(a) As we have previously stated the exclusion of active
participants like Australia and New Zealand from original
armistice was indefensible. However, having accepted the armistice
we cannot agree to its terms being amended unless we take full
part in negotiation of amendments.

(b) Substantial amendments such as those suggested by the United
States are bound to affect the terms of the peace treaty and would
thus undoubtedly limit the scope of our participation in the Peace
Conference.

(c) Adoption of United States proposal would certainly tend to
postpone further the negotiation of a treaty of peace. We agree
with you that this is undesirable.

We hope that you are in agreement with our general attitude and
that you will, therefore, reject the American suggestion.

We feel that other Governments (particularly the Soviet Union)
would resent interference with the procedure and timetable which
were only settled after difficult discussions at MOSCOW. [2]