Proposed Purchase of Italian Heavy Cruisers
The Italian heavy cruisers Trento and Trieste were the first cruisers built by Italy after World War One. They were ordered on 18 and 11 April 1924, and laid down on 8 February and 26 June 1925 respectively.
On 12 August 1925, an Argentine Admiral approached Orlando, builder of Trento, and enquired if the Italian Government would be willing to sell Trento to Argentina. At an Admirals Committee later that day, Mussolini asked those present whether they would support the sale of either one or perhaps both of the cruisers under construction. The Admirals were unanimous in supporting the sale of the ships, provided that the other signatories to the Washington Naval Treaty agreed. Ultimately Argentina settled the matter by renouncing the request, and ordering two new cruisers from Italian shipyards instead (Almirante Brown and 25 de Mayo).