740.0011 EW 1939/34272: Telegram
The Acting Representative to the French Committee of National Liberation (Chapin) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:55 p.m.]
1599. From Murphy.44 Cosmed No. 108, May 15, informs General Wilson from Chiefs of Staff that the State Department has raised the question of declaring Rome an open city subject to reservation of transit rights for both belligerents. This question was discussed at AFHQ this afternoon and Macmillan45 and I were called on for advice in drafting a reply. It would be appreciated if the Department would consult the text of the message under reference which was repeated to Britman [British?], Washington as No. 2571 from AFKSO [AFHQ?] dated May 15 in which were incorporated three courses of action suggested by the Foreign Office.
It would have been exceedingly helpful in advising the Supreme Allied Commander regarding the draft of his reply if I had had the benefit of Department’s thinking on this subject. The consensus of opinion at AFHQ is opposed to a declaration of Rome as an open city and there is also great doubt regarding the eventual implications of such a declaration. Allied military authorities insist that they must not be deprived of use of transit facilities through Rome after that city is reached by our forces. They feel that a declaration by the Allies now may be used later to the advantage of the enemy after its capture by us.
The matter will be discussed again tomorrow and a text approved for reply to the above telegram. In the absence of Department’s advice regarding its desires I shall assume that it wishes a form of public statement which would have a desirable political effect without the forfeit of any essential military requirements.
Repeated to Naples for Kirk.45a [Murphy.]