Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1943, Europe, Volume II

740.00119 European War 1939/1556: Telegram

The Minister in Switzerland ( Harrison ) to the Secretary of State ⁴⁸

Bern , August 2, 1943—4 p.m.
[Received 6:20 p.m.]

4659. 138, July 31, from Tittmann.⁴⁹ My 131, July 26.⁵⁰

1. For the moment it would appear Badoglio Government less preoccupied by prospect unconditional surrender to Allies than by possibility public disorder and uncertainty as to intentions of Germans. I am told of indications that predominant emotion Italian official circles today is fear and that this possibility should not be lost sight of when evaluating situation.

[2.] Vatican officials are following closely all Allied pronouncements with regard to surrender of Italy and are on lookout for anything that might imply “terms”. Thus far however efforts to assess in this light various public statements made by Allies would seem to have resulted only in their confusion. In some quarters suggestion has been reiterated that an early landing on peninsula by Allied forces would be desirable from point of view Italian security and that we would meet with little opposition if we attempted to do so. [Tittmann.]

Harrison

48. In telegram as received, paragraph 2 preceded paragraph 1; the editor has replaced paragraphs in numbered order.
49. Harold H. Tittmann, Assistant to the President’s Personal Representative to Pope Pius XII.
50. Not printed.