740.0011 European War 1939/30168
Memorandum by President Roosevelt to the Secretary of State
Washington
, June 28,
1943.
I think it is worthwhile to get word to Monsignor Cicognani in very polite language:
- (a)
- That we fully realize all that the Pope has said about Rome as a whole and that we have no desire to destroy any church property or historic monuments.
- (b)
- That, nevertheless, because war is war we must recognize that Rome is the center of the Italian Government and is of definite use to that government in conducting the war against us. This applies also to the fact that many Germans help to run Italy, with German staffs located in Rome itself.
- (c)
- Therefore, in order to be fair and equally just to both sides, we suggest that the Vatican try to have Rome declared an open city i.e. that all military installations, activities and personnel of Italy be removed from Rome, together with the use of all railroad facilities in and about Rome for military purposes. This, of course, would require the cooperative consent of the British, but I agree with Myron that it is worthwhile discussing.
What do you think?
F[ranklin] D. R[oosevelt]