740.0011 EW
1939/31953A
The Secretary of State to
the President1
Washington, November 21, 1943.
My Dear Mr. President: With reference to Mr.
Stettinius’ recent
conversations with you concerning the open city status of Rome, we have
been informed that General Eisenhower has recently submitted his recommendations to
the Joint Chiefs of Staff.2 For important
[Page 267]
considerations other than military, it is
desirable that this Government make a sincere effort to spare Rome to
the extent possible the devastation resulting from modern military
operations and, in the event an agreement cannot be reached, of placing
the burden of refusal upon the Germans.
Consequently, I am submitting a draft letter to the Pope, for your
signature if you approve, recognizing the open city status of Rome on
the general basis of the conditions outlined by the Italian Government
in August last. In considering the communication to the Pope, the War
Department suggests that you may wish to consult with the Joint Chiefs
of Staff to insure that the military as well as the political aspects of
the problem are fully examined. The draft communication incorporates, in
a satisfactory manner we believe, General Eisenhower’s reservations.
Faithfully yours,
[Enclosure]
Draft Letter From President Roosevelt to the
Pope3
Your Holiness: I refer to your letter of
July 20 and to subsequent communications from His Eminence, the
Cardinal Secretary of
State, sent through the American Charge d’Affaires and the Apostolic
Delegate concerning the recognition of Rome as an open city. As Your
Holiness is aware, I have shared your deep concern for the safety of
our common religious and cultural heritage in Rome and have
continued to give the problem of its preservation my earnest thought
and attention. The unilateral declaration of the Royal Italian
Government on August 144 and the subsequent steps taken by it to make the
declaration effective5 have likewise
received the careful consideration of the highest authorities of the
United States Government.
I now have pleasure in informing Your Holiness that the decision has
been reached to recognize Rome as an open city on the basis of the
August declaration of the Royal Italian Government and the
subsequent effective conditions, notified through the Holy See,
provided the German Government will accord its recognition of Rome
as an open city on a similar basis. A copy of the conditions
established by the Royal Italian Government, then in Rome, which
this
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Government has found
acceptable, to make the Italian declaration effective, is enclosed
for reference.
To avoid possible misinterpretation of these conditions, I should
point out that with reference to paragraph 4 the Allied forces
reserve full transit rights through Rome, including railway,
highway, and other related facilities required for such transit.
Since, at the time of the declaration of Rome as an open city in
August, the Royal Italian Government was still established there and
the conditions, now accepted by this Government, did not anticipate
its removal from the Italian capital, it is, of course, assumed that
the Royal Italian Government will wish to reestablish itself in
Rome.
I can only hope that the tireless efforts of Your Holiness to spare
Rome the devastation of modern warfare will prove as successful with
. the adversary. I shall await with sympathetic interest any
information which Your Holiness may in the future be able to
communicate to me concerning the results of your approach to the
German Government.
Respectfully yours,
[Subenclosure]
The Apostolic Delegate at Washington
(Cicognani) to the Secretary of State
[Washington, August 26, 1943.]
Memorandum
The Apostolic Delegate has been informed by the Cardinal Secretary of State6 that the Italian
Government has taken the following steps to make effective its
declaration of August 14, 1943, on the status of Rome as an open
city:
- 1)
- The defense installations of the city of Rome have been
dismantled.
- 2)
- Orders have been issued that anti-aircraft batteries are not
to operate, nor are fighter planes to go into action over the
city of Rome.
- 3)
- The Italian and German High Commands are leaving the city, and
their complete removal will be effected within a short
time.
- 4)
- Active troops are being withdrawn and there will remain in the
city only a garrison of Italian troops charged with the
maintenance of public order. This garrison of troops will be
equipped with arms adequate for the purpose of their
presence.
- 5)
- The railway system of Rome will in the future not be used for
purposes of military transportation, for the marshalling of
trains, or for loading or unloading troops, etc. The railway
system of Rome will be reduced to a mere transit line, and its
facilities will not be employed for the making up of or the
breaking up of military trains. For all purposes of military
transportation, the railway system in and around the zone
affected by the declaration of Rome as an open city will be put
into the status of a simple line of passage.
- 6)
- All necessary steps are being taken to effect the transfer
beyond the city limits of all military establishments, and of
all factories used for the production of arms and
munitions.
Washington, August 26, 1943.
