740.00114 European War 1939/4378

The Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Secretary of State

Dear Mr. Secretary: Reference is made to your letter to the Secretary of War, 25 August,74 concerning a revision of the policy now governing the functions of the Vatican Information Service in North Africa.

[Page 960]

The Joint Chiefs of Staff have reconsidered the decision rendered on 30 May 194375 on this subject and agree that some revision of the existing policies is desirable. Accordingly, the present policy is revised in order that the Vatican Information Service may extend its activities to Italian prisoners of war in the hands of American authorities. General Eisenhower is being informed that he is authorized to furnish the Vatican Information Service with rosters of prisoners of war on a delayed basis, and to permit the transmission of welfare messages for Italian prisoners of war and persons of equivalent status in American custody. The term “delayed basis” will be interpreted to mean that lists of prisoners of war will not be delivered to the Vatican Information Service until sufficient time has elapsed after delivery of lists to the Protecting Power and International Red Cross to enable the Protecting Power and International Red Cross to transmit same to the proper enemy agencies and the latter has had sufficient time to inform the next of kin of the prisoner.

The means of communication by which the Vatican Information Service maintains contact between the Vatican and North Africa is an administrative matter and must remain subject to the decisions of the Theater Commander.

Sincerely yours,

For the Joint Chiefs of Staff:
William D. Leahy

Admiral, U.S. Navy
Chief of Staff to the
Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy
  1. Not printed.
  2. See telegram No. 1122, June 12, 8 p.m., to the Consul General at Algiers, p. 957.