Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1943, Europe, Volume II

740.0011 European War 1939/27161: Telegram

The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of State

Bern, January 15, 1943—2 p.m.
[Received 2:44 p.m.]

328. From Tittmann. No. 11, January 12. My telegram number 213, December 25.¹⁴

1. I am told that the Roman population is becoming increasingly convinced that some sort of an agreement has been concluded whereby the city of Rome will not be bombed. Accordingly many people who had left the city in anticipation of air raids are now said to be returning.

2. It seems to be a fact—at least it has not been denied so far by the Vatican—that at the instance of the Pope, the Portuguese Government recently appealed to the British Government not to bomb Rome. The appeal is said to have been made simultaneously by the Portuguese Ambassador in London¹⁵ and by Salazar¹⁶ to the British Ambassador in Lisbon.¹⁷ My British colleague tells me that the Pope did the same thing once before—in 1940 I believe—to the distinct annoyance of the British Government. When questioned regarding the possible bombing of Rome, I shall continue to say that I have received no instructions from my Government on the subject but that I suppose that we must be reserving our right to do so should the military situation make such action imperative. Please inform me whether this answer meets with the approval of the Department. [Tittmann.]

Harrison

14. See telegram No. 6198, December 29, 1942, from the Minister in Switzerland, ibid., p. 800.
15. Armindo Rodrigues de Sttau Monteiro.
16. Antonio de Oliveira Salazar, President of the Portuguese Council of Ministers, Minister for Foreign Affairs and of War.
17. Sir Ronald Campbell.