701.9466A/25

Mr. Harold H. Tittmann, Assistant to the President’s Personal Representative to Pope Pius XII, to the Secretary of State

No. 74

Sir: In connection with the presentation by the Japanese Ambassador of his letters of credence (see my despatch no. 72 of May 15, 194244), I have the honor to inform the Department that I notice from the official account of the ceremony that he was received by the Pope in the Throne Room. I remembered that Ambassador [Page 791] Myron Taylor, on the contrary, was received in the Little Throne Room and thought it strange that this distinction should have been made, since both hold the rank of Ambassador and since their missions are similar in character in that they are regarded as temporary. I found an occasion to bring the matter informally to the attention of the Secretariat of State and asked for an explanation.

I have now received a reply from the Secretariat of State. It was explained that, while the protocol calls for the reception of Ambassadors in the Throne Room, the ceremonial authorities decided that some variation in procedure was appropriate in Ambassador Taylor’s case since, unlike other Ambassadors, he does not represent his country, but rather the person of the President of the United States. Consequently the Little Throne Room was used. On the other hand, the Japanese Ambassador, although a Special Delegate, does represent the Japanese Empire and normal procedure was therefore followed in his case.

Monsignor Montini, in giving me this explanation, added that in other respects the honors shown Ambassador Taylor at the presentation of his credentials were “much more important” than those shown to the Japanese Ambassador. The Holy Father, he said, wished to have this made clear.

Respectfully yours,

Harold H. Tittmann
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