Correspondence with Gaetano Salvemini

  • This material is held at
  • Reference
      GB 133 GDN/A/S8
  • Dates of Creation
      10 Nov 1908-3 Apr 1931
  • Physical Description
      46 pieces; 51 sheets There are letters written in Italian and French without translations.

Scope and Content

Correspondence with Gaetano Salvemini (1873-1957), historian and politician, relating to a suggestion by Salvemini that Count Carlo Sforza, diplomat and politician, write articles for the Manchester Guardian expressing his views on relations with France and the situation in the Ruhr, with discussion of reparations, which is accepted. Also included is discussion of Sforza's attempt to write the articles, and decision that it is not possible to express his views freely, which is acknowledged, with the suggestion that they might be written and provided to Scott in confidence. There are letters of introduction for Salvemini from Geoffrey Scott, writer and architect, [nephew of Scott], and Lina Waterfield, journalist and author.

There is a request by Salvemini that an article he had written for the paper be published without his name, under the suggested heading of 'an Italian statesman', and also a request that the Manchester Guardian publicise a series of lectures on Italian foreign policy, to be given by Salvemini at King's [College, London], which is granted. There is an offer of an article by Salvemini for the paper on a catalogue of unpunished fascist crimes in Italy, which is declined, owing to the difficulty of verification.

There is correspondence with [Henry] Wickham Steed, newspaper editor, relating to the financial difficulties of Salvemini's paper, the Corriere degli Italiani, with discussion of the paper, and a request that Scott contribute to a fund for its support, which is declined on behalf of the paper, but with a personal contribution from Scott. There is a request by Salvemini to reprint articles from the Manchester Guardian relating to the trial in Savona of Carlo Rosselli and Ferruccio Parri, with an enquiry as to printing costs, which is granted, but with the information that the paper cannot produce the pamphlet as they do not have a general printing department. Also included is correspondence between Salvemini, Scott and Barbara Barclay Carter, journalist, relating to a request for press credentials for Carter from the paper to report upon the trial of Rosselli and Parri in Savona, which is declined, the provision of articles by Carter on the trial which are published in the paper, and discussion of a complaint by Carter that the payment for the articles was inadequate, and the payment of Carter's travel expenses, accompanied by internal memoranda discussing the subject.

There is a request by Salvemini that the Manchester Guardian review his book The Fascist Dictatorship in Italy, which is granted, and discussion of an article entitled 'Bernard Shaw and Fascism', a copy of which is provided to Scott. Also included is discussion of the [general] election in France in 1928, its impact, and coverage in the British press.

There are assurances by Salvemini of the accuracy of his information regarding the arrest of [Marion] Rosselli, wife of Carlo Rosselli, political leader and journalist, and the denial of the arrest by the Italian authorities. Also included is a request that the upcoming trial of his friends in Italy for circulating anti-fascist material, and plotting acts of terrorism, be publicised in the Manchester Guardian, as press coverage of the trial from paper outside of Italy may provide assistance, and a request that [Sylvia E.] Saunders [Sprigge], journalist and correspondent for the paper, remain in Rome to cover the trial. There is discussion of the provision of a letter to the editor by Salvemini on the subject, with reference to the involvement of [Carlo] Del Re, lawyer, which is declined for publication. [Letter to the editor not included]. There is also an expression of thanks from Salvemini for the sympathetic articles on the subject published in the paper.

There is a request for confirmation of permission to publish letters by Ernesto Rossi, politician and journalist, in the paper, amid concerns that they may cause Rossi harm [at his forthcoming trial for political offences against the government in Italy], which is granted, with discussion of the power of the British press in Italy, and their impact upon trials.

GDN/A/S8/4 is an internal employment history index card for Salvenini, 1923.

GDN/A/S8/13 is an article entitled 'Professor Salvemini; a Notable Visitor to Manchester', 1923.

GDN/A/S8/14 is an article entitled 'Fascism Breeding Communism; Prof. Salvemini's Address' in the [Manchester Guardian, 1926].