740.0011 European War 1939/26772
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Chief of the Division of European Affairs (Atherton)
[
Washington
,] December 21 [20?],
1942.
I informed Mr. Hayter57 with reference to the attached conditions relating to the proposal to refrain from bombing Rome that I had had [Page 797] an extensive conversation with the Secretary of State who made the following points:
- 1.
- The question had been personally handled by the President, but in his interpretation of the President’s position the Secretary was not prepared to agree to anything in the nature of an ultimatum. It was doubtful whether the Italians had the power to agree and force the Germans to leave. If the ultimatum was not accepted we would then be in a position either of having made an empty threat or being forced to bomb Home. The implications of the latter and its effect upon the war effort might be serious in the extreme.
- 2.
- I reminded Mr. Hayter that at the request of the British Government we issued a statement concerning Albania,58 which as a result of such Greek pressure had to be so emasculated that it would have been better if no statement at all had been issued.
- 3.
- In summarizing the American Government’s position it might be stated in brief that it would say nothing that gave the appearance of an ultimatum but felt that if this aspect were removed we should like an opportunity of discussing certain phases of the problems with the British.
Following are proposed conditions in return for which His Majesty’s Government will be prepared to give an undertaking to refrain from bombing Rome:
[Here follow five conditions listed in memorandum by the Secretary of State, printed infra.]