840.48 Refugees/8–1444: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 15—2:30 a.m.]
6521. Reference Deptel 5791, July 24, midnight;55 Embtel 6005, July 28, 5 p.m.; Deptel 6097, August 2, midnight; Embtel 6292, August 5, 10 p.m.56 IGC has furnished Embassy copy of telegram number 9 August 4, from Heathcote-Smith regarding Papal intervention on behalf non-Italian refugees north Italy. Substance of this message is as follows: Taylor had audience with Pope and furnished him information in all telegrams exchanged with Washington on this subject. Heathcote-Smith saw Pope August 2. Pope will request German Ambassador to endeavor stop further deportations and to furnish Vatican with figures on numbers of Jews and others in north Italy still awaiting deportation. Pope will also suggest Axis should permit these people reach some refuge. These requests will be made as though originating with Pope himself. Pope told Heathcote-Smith neither history nor his conscience would forgive him if he did not make this effort. Heathcote-Smith learned of report from Papal Nuncio in Switzerland to effect that 50 Jews in concentration camp near Modena were murdered by Axis authorities July 31.
[Page 1124]IGC communicated this telegram to Foreign Office which replied August 11 in substance as follows:
“It is noted from Heathcote-Smith’s telegram number 9 of August 4 that the Pope will take up the question of internees in northern Italy with the German authorities.
In the meantime we have asked His Majesty’s High Commissioner in Rome59 to inform us as to what accommodation, if any, may be found for these refugees in liberated Italy, but we know that our resources there are greatly strained and our military authorities insist that the number of refugees which can be brought in is definitely limited.
It is clear that Heathcote-Smith is not too well informed of the problems facing us at present. We are confronted with the likelihood of a substanital influx of refugees from the Balkans; also considerable difficulties are being encountered in connection with arrangements for medical personnel and supplies. The military authorities are not likely to agree to the maintenance of many thousands of refugees in Italy until these problems can be resolved.
I shall inform you of Sir Noel Charles’ reply which I hope will be favorable, but there are many difficulties to be overcome, as I have pointed out.”
The IGC summed up the whole situation in its telegram of today to Heathcote-Smith, paraphrase of which follows:
“Your telegram number 9, August 4, regarding rescue internees threatened with deportation received August 8. Your telegram July 15 and report July 18 received respectively July 19 and 25 but your telegram July 14 not received until July 31. We proposed to American and British Governments on July 26 that they should request Vatican’s intervention for relief foreign civilian refugees held in northern Italy giving assurance that they would arrange transportation to southern Italy or elsewhere and for maintenance either through IGC or in some other way. American Government on July 29 furnished us with message which they repeated to Taylor and we were further informed by them on August 5 that they found our proposal acceptable. In accordance with their suggestion we had three-cornered discussion with representatives of Foreign Office and American Embassy and have furnished copies of your latest telegram to both governments. Today we received letter from Foreign Office stating that Charles has been asked to report as to what accommodations if any may be available south of the battle line in Italy. Foreign Office emphasizes possibility of large influx from Balkans simultaneously with difficulties relating to medical personnel and supplies. British opinion is being conveyed to Washington by American Embassy. Congratulations to you and Taylor for successful approach to Pope. We will keep you informed of further developments.”