740.0011 European War 1939/30253: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Spain (Hayes)
1582. Your 1894, 21st. You may refer to the message contained in Radio Bulletin 169, July 16 and to the President’s statement contained in Radio Bulletin 175, July 23.37 No assurance can be furnished of [Page 934] course that there will be no repetition inasmuch as decision in this regard must depend upon military necessity and upon Italian action. The responsibilitiy clearly rests with Italy and it may be pointed out that the Axis has exhibited no compunction over a period of years about the destruction carried out wantonly by its forces, of Christian shrines in a number of countries. It is not recalled incidentally that the Spanish Episcopacy ever protested against the unchristian acts that have characterized Axis warfare. Our bombing of Rome, made necessary by the Italian Government, was carried out with great care to inflict as little damage as possible on cultural monuments and church property, and it may be remarked that from this as well as from the military standpoint the raid was remarkably successful.
- Radio Bulletin No. 169 quotes text of the joint message of President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill to the people of Italy on July 16, 1943; for text, see p. 330. The President’s statement in Radio Bulletin No. 175 was to the effect that the United States in order to save American and British lives would take what steps were necessary to prevent Axis traffic through Rome from operating.↩