Foreign Relations of the United States, Conferences at Washington and Quebec, 1943

740.0011 EW/8–2243

Mr. J. Wesley Jones, of the Division of European Affairs, to the Adviser on Political Relations (Dunn)

secret

[Washington,] August 22, 1943.

PA/D—Mr. Dunn The attached message was left with me yesterday by an officer of the O.S.S. It is of interest as another “feeler” and channel from the Badoglio Govt.… the author of the message is Dulles. I told the OSS to make no reply to the question raised by the latter.

J W[esley] J[ones]

[Attachment]

Bern, August 20, 1943.

A reliable cutout¹ has transmitted to me a report from …² which states that Italy, according to Foreign Minister Guariglia, remains prepared to cease resistance on condition that we can guarantee plane protection against the Nazis, and they are willing to open the airports, and so forth. It would seem that … is anxious to be in touch with me directly. It is very possible that Guariglia and Rosso are making use of him here. Until I receive instructions, I am continuing to handle … with care, as an intelligence source only, and by means of cutouts.

1. i.e., go-between.
2. An Italian consular officer in Switzerland.