740.0011 European War 1939/30108: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland ( Harrison ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 2:49 p.m.]
4110. From Tittmann. No. 116, July 7. My 107, June 29.27 The British Minister under instructions has informed Vatican that there is no thought of asking the Italian Government to declare Rome an “open city” in return for Allied assurances that it would not be bombed and that press and radio reports to the contrary are without foundation. Osborne has been further instructed to refrain from holding out any encouragement to the Vatican along these lines.
I assume that we are working closely with the British in this matter. If such be the case it occurs that the information I am sending regarding the instruction received from London by my British colleague and the Vatican’s reaction thereto may already be known in the Department through more direct channels and that my reports may therefore constitute unnecessary duplication. Please let me know if the Department desires me to continue reporting as I have been doing in the past. [Tittmann.]