Evening star., 1945-11-06
Ita|ianArmistice
TermsPubIished
After Two Years
Many Old Rumors
Proved GroundIess;
Revision Possible
BY GARNETT d. HORNER.

The United States will favor
early formal revision of the
Italian armistice if negotiation
of a peace treaty is long delayed,
it was indicated today with pub
lication of the Italian surrender
terms which had been kept
secret for more than two years.
The unconditional surrender doc
uments, together with an officia
explanation of how the harsh terms
have been greatly modified in prac-
tice, were made public simulta-
neously in Washington, London ano
Rome this afternoon.
They disclosed no provision fol
final disposition of Italian territory
or property, thus proving groundles.
many old rumors.
However, for war purposes the
original military armistice signed or
September 3, 1943, and the so.
called long terms" signed 26 day.
later, gave the Allies minute contro
over all aspects of Italy's military
political and economic life.
Some Clauses Obsolete.
While still officially in effect
many of the armistice clauses never
were invoked, others quickly became
obsolete and others have been re.
laxed in practice.
The situation for which the terms
were designed was changed soor
after they were signed when Italy
declared war on Germany and be-
came "co-belligerent" in the
United Nations war effort.
The Italian government long age
asked formal revision of the armi-
stice to meet changed conditions and
renewed this request within the last
two weeks, it was learned.
Officials here had hoped for prompt
negotiation of a peace treaty with
Italy, which would supersede the
armistfce, but this has been de-
layed by the breakdown of the Big
Five Council of Foreign Ministers
in London.
This Government has not yet re-
piled to the latest Italian request
Officials indicated that a favorable
reply will be given and the question
OF revision pressed with the British
government if the peace treaty ne
gotiatiorls cannot be revived soon.
Hopes for Improvement.
Italian n Ambassador Tarchiani
greeted publication of the armistice
terms with hope that the condi-
tions for Italy would soon improve.
"I voice the hope that the eW-
dent contrast between the armistice
terms and the loyal and effective
Italian collaboration given the Al
lies for more than two years will
suggest to governments and public
opinion throughout the world the
road to follow regarding the free
italian people," he said.
II also hope that this will bring
such an acknowledgement, promised
and deserved, in just recognition o1
the Italian peoples participation ir
the common victory"
italian government leaders were
said to feel that Italys contribution
to the Allied war effort in the last
two years entitled her to a forma
revision of the unconditional" sur.
render terms which closely circum-
scribe Italian sovereignty. They
seek particularly greater autonomy
in negotiations with foreign govern
ments and in economic affairs.
Diplomatic Control Relaxed.
Under the surrender terms, Ital,
could carry on foreign relations only
through the Allied Control Com
mission. In practice, this has beer
relaxed SO that now the italian gov
ernment is required only to keel
the Allied commission informed