740.0011 European War 1939/30003: Telegram

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

3921. From Tittmann. No. 107, June 29.

1. A personal and most secret telegram from Eden (received here June 23 but dated London June 20) has been received by my British [Page 925] colleague. In it he was instructed to see that the Pope was informed at once that should bombing of Rome become necessary for military reasons Allied pilots would be given specific orders to prevent bombs from any of their planes from falling on Vatican City. Eden asked [added], however, he had no reason to feel confident Axis would not take opportunity to bomb Vatican at same time and endeavor to charge Allies with the outrage. Through Cardinal Secretary of State this message was delivered to the Pope immediately.

Cardinal Secretary of State appears to regard this message as serving notice that Allies do in fact intend bomb Rome. He has told my British colleague and myself that he has already received assurances from Italians that Axis had no intention of bombing Vatican and he expected same assurances from Germans. Cardinal also told me he had informed Apostolic Delegates Washington and London of contents Eden message and had instructed them to remind State Department and Foreign Office that surest way to spare Vatican would be simply to avoid bombing Rome.

2. On June 26 Cardinal Maglione told me he and the Pope had been discussing possibility that Allied bombardment of Rome might provoke popular uprising against diplomats residing Vatican City whom large sections of Roman population, he pointed out, [regard?] already as “NVRN [nest?] of spies”. The Holy See, which had never wanted diplomats in Vatican in first place, would not, he said, be in a position to give them adequate protection if such an uprising occurred.

I replied that I felt confident that if in opinion of Allies war could be shortened and perhaps thousands of lives saved by bombing Rome they would not be deterred therefrom out of consideration for safety of a few diplomats.

Cardinal told me that at first opportunity he intended to speak along same lines to my British colleague. If and when he does, Osborne’s reply will be that, (1) without knowledge and consent of Italian Government such an uprising could not occur, (2) grave discredit would be reflected on Italian Government and on Holy See by such an uprising, (3) it would serve to allay hesitation of Allies to subject Rome to further and more severe bombing and forewarning should be given other diplomats in Vatican City as well as ourselves so that their wives and children may be sent away in time. The Pope when Osborne saw him June 28 did not raise question and it seems possible it may be dropped after my reply to the Cardinal. My own impression is the Cardinal could not have been speaking from conviction and consequently I suspect he was trying out general pressure on me to see effect it would have. British colleague and I agree it can almost be excluded that popular reaction to Allied bombing of obviously military [Page 926] objectives in Rome would take form of spontaneous rioting against diplomats Vatican City.

3. I understand His Holiness although greatly upset by Eden message still refuses in spite of it to believe Allies will bomb Rome. It also appears that he has received intimation from Washington that Rome might be spared if declared “open city” but that he does not think reaction of Italians to such a proposition could or would be favorable.

4. Eden’s message, the talk in international press and on radio about bombing Rome, insistence of British press on existence within city of important military objectives together with invitation to declare Rome “open city” are somewhat mystifying. If I could be kept informed of developments whenever practicable I should appreciate it. [Tittmann.]

Harrison