An Anglo-Italian "Gentleman's Agreement" had been signed on 2 January 1937, with each party respecting the rights of the other in the Mediterranean and aimed at improving Anglo-Italian relations.
O 2 de xaneiro de 1937 o Reino Unido e Italia asinaran un "Acordo de Cabaleiros" no que cada un deles acordaba respectar os dereitos do outro no Mediterráneo procurando mellorar as relacións anglo-italianas.