740.0011 European War 1939/32296: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:51 p.m.]
7736. (This is Tittmann’s 228, December 1.) I believe that it is correct to say that the Vatican now looks upon the idea of Rome as an open city as purely a military question and is not interested in any way in the various projects of a political nature that have been advanced recently in the Rome press which is German controlled. According to the Vatican, therefore, open city would appear to mean simply this:
- (1)
- Steps should be taken to prevent Rome from becoming a battlefield either through agreement between belligerent parties or through Allied strategy. In practice this would mean that before the arrival of the Allies the Germans would withdraw.
- (2)
- During the interval between the withdrawal of the Germans and the arrival of the Allies the latter would provide police protection for the city.
- (3)
- The Allies should provide food supplies for the population during the interval and thereafter.
On a number of occasions I have pointed out to the Vatican that it is our desire if possible to prevent destruction in Rome. I understood that Holy See has been officially assured by the Germans that this is equally their desire. [Tittmann.]