740.0011 European War 1939/30810: Telegram
The Chargé at Vatican City ( Tittmann ) to the Acting Secretary of State 1
Following is from a reliable source. (This is Tittmann’s 159, August 20 with reference to his 156, August 17.2)
An interministerial committee met some days ago to discuss measures to be taken in connection with declaration by Italian Government that Rome is an open city and another meeting held yesterday of same committee with Badoglio presiding. In addition to orders already given to anti-aircraft batteries Rome not to react in case of raid pending [Page 1070] their suppression Badoglio ordered immediate removal from Rome of all possible military objectives both personnel and material. Question of military traffic through Rome still presents difficulties but every effort is being made to solve problem and it is hoped satisfactory solution will soon be found. Meanwhile, orders have been given military trains all kinds now obliged pass through Rome should do so without stopping.
- Sent to the American Legation at Bern and transmitted in telegram No. 5177 of August 23, 1943, from the Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Acting Secretary of State; received in Washington at 8:43 p.m., August 23. A paraphrase was telegraphed to the United States Delegation at Quebec by the War Department on August 24. A variant text of this message was sent to the American Legation at Lisbon and transmitted in telegram No. 1937 of August 31, 1943, from the Chargé in Portugal (Kennan) to the Secretary of State (740.0011 European War 1939/30932).↩
- Ante, p. 1059.↩