Dearg code telegram from Joseph P. Walshe to Robert Brennan (Washington)
(No. 151)

Your 168.¹ Please transmit following message from Taoiseach to Cordell Hull:-

'Knowing the great anxiety of the President and of yourself to save the City of Rome, I should like once more to suggest that American approval be given for the setting up of a neutral commission to establish and safeguard the character of Rome as an open city. I have been informed from an unimpeachable source that the Roman railways are not being used by the German Army and that there are no German military stores in the city. The time appears opportune for a fur- ther step. Unless conditions are agreed upon for the establishment of Rome as an open town, the danger from air and artillery bombardment remains and may at any moment become a fact. I consider it would help very greatly towards the achievement of our common purpose if America would name her condi- tions for the recognition of Rome as an open town, and would at the same time give an assurance that the city would not be used as a military centre by the American Armies after the withdrawal from the area of the German forces.

Such an assurance would be a determining factor in the saving of the city and would be a cause of deep satisfaction and consolation to the millions of adherents of the Roman Catholic faith all over the world.

Perhaps there would be a better chance of obtaining results if communica- tions are for the present regarded as confidential.'