701.6266A/6–344
The Second Secretary of the British Embassy (Middleton) to Mr. Franklin C. Gowen of the Division of Southern European Affairs
My Dear Gowen: With reference to our conversation yesterday morning I am writing to let you know that we agree with you that there is some apparent discrepancy between paragraph 5 and the last sentence of paragraph 6 of our Aide-Mémoire No. 266 of the 12th [17th] May on the subject of Axis Diplomats accredited to the Vatican. The gist lies in the last sentence of paragraph 6: we would like to know whether you agree that any Axis agent apprehended outside the Vatican City should, as a matter of grace rather than of right, be given the choice of entering the Vatican City or returning to his own country under safe conduct. I think it is clear that we do not wish to have such agents living in Rome outside the limits of the Vatican City.71
Yours sincerely,
- Two marginal comments are found on this document signed by F[ranklin] C. G[owen]: “Discussed with H[ugh] S. F[ullerton] and agreed to tell Middleton this is acceptable to us”; “Ackn’d to Middleton by phone stating that we agreed.”↩