Roosevelt Papers: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the President1
For the President from Secretary Hull
British inform us, with reference Lebanese situation, the deadline of 10 a.m. Sunday has been postponed to the same hour Monday.
A decision has been made to take no action to force the resignation of Badoglio or the abdication of the King until Rome has been reached. This decision based on possibility that contrary action might cause undesirable reactions in Italian army and create difficulties for United Nations armed forces.
Algiers reports on November 17 that Badoglio, with King’s approval, contemplates the following changes:
Marshal Messe replaced Ambrosio; Taddeo Orlando to be appointed Under Secretary of State for War; and Beryrdi [Berardi] to be Chief of Staff replacing Roatta. Piccardi has resigned as Minister of Commerce, Industry and Labor.
Algiers reports consideration by Allied military authorities of requisition in Italy of Catholic properties. British hold that military [Page 245] necessity sufficient justification for requisition by Italian Government. Matter being presented to Vatican by British Minister.2 Mon-signor Carroll suggests Vatican might be prepared issue general directive for cooperation Allied forces.
Algiers reports that Giraud has not yet received the written assurance from the Committee which he made condition for withdrawal his resignation.3 He believes that they will be forthcoming. Giraud hopes eventually transfer his headquarters to London for service on Allied staff that may be established incident to future military operations.
Department has delivered to British and Russian Embassies aide-mémoire4 regarding approach to Ambassador Madrid5 by Rumania for peace conditions. Embassies were informed that Ambassador stressed only conditions were unconditional surrender and suggested that Rumania might wish take appropriate steps in this connection. Ambassador’s remarks transmitted to Mihai Antonescu from whom approach came.
- Sent by the White House Map Room to Greer at Oran, apparently via military channels.↩
- Sir D’Arcy Osborne.↩
- It was announced at Algiers on November 9, 1943, that Giraud and a group of his supporters had resigned from the French Committee of National Liberation.↩
- Not printed herein.↩
- Carlton J. H. Hayes.↩