840.48 Refugees/5272
The Apostolic Delegate (Cicognani) to the Acting Secretary of State
My Dear Mr. Stettinius: Referring to your letter of February 21, 1944, and my reply of February 23, 1944,36 concerning the welfare of the Jews remaining in Slovakia, I beg to inform you that I am in receipt of a reply from the Cardinal Secretary of State on this question.
His Eminence, the Cardinal, states that he has interested the Papal Representative in Bratislava in the condition of these Jews. The Representative sent a communication to the Secretariate of State to the effect that, although the present condition of the Jews in Slovakia [Page 996] is indeed sad and still uncertain, the census that was taken had only one purpose, the investigation of certain specific suspicions. Furthermore, according to a promise from the President of the Republic, Dr. Josepf Tiso, the Jews will not be persecuted, that is, will not be condemned to severe punishments, but will only be interned and will be given opportunity and facilities to withdraw to some other country.
In bringing you this communication from the Apostolic Nunciature in Bratislava I wish to assure you that the Holy See will continue its interest in the welfare of these unfortunate people.37
With highest personal regard and sentiments of esteem, I beg to remain
Yours very sincerely,
Archbishop of Laodicea
- Neither printed.↩
- The Apostolic Delegate, in his letter of May 24, not printed, advised that Slovakian authorities had given assurances to the Apostolic Nunciature in Slovakia that, despite the registration of Jews, officials had no intention of taking any other anti-Semitic measures; the Nunciature added, however, that the possibility of new reprisals could not be excluded.↩