WASHINGTON, D.C.
 
 
 
July 26, 1943
 
 
 
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY OF STATE
 
     
 
 
I called upon the Apostolic Delegate this morning, and give in the   
following items the substance of our conversation.
 
    
 
 
 1. The pattern that is being followed by the Italian Government so far   
is in its initial stages in conformity with the discussions which took place   
several weeks ago between the Apostolic Delegate and myself which, at that   
time, I reported to the President and the Secretary of State.
 
    
 
 
 2. In our past talks I have questioned the wisdom of appointing   
Badoglio as head of the Government. The only alternative through the many   
months of inquiry that semed of equal influence was General Caviglia. The   
main difficulty in his case was age, he being, I believe, eighty-two years   
of age. Badoglio's anti-Fascist attitude in general has been good. Whenever   
he has undertaken military acvivities it has been at the instance of the   
King whom he has loyally supported throughout his career.
 
    
 
 
 3. Marshall Badoglio has today declared martial law in Italy.
 
    
 
 
 4. In the opinion of the Apostolic Delegate the events of the last day   
will be followed by ultimate withdrawal of italy from the war. This may   
occur in a reasonably short time. In viewing this one must consider how the   
German Army can be eliminated from Italy and still permit the Italian, in   
the first instance at least, to keep faith with an ally.
 
   
 
 
 5. It seems obvious that the negotiating medium now can only be General   
Eisenhower and the King and/or Marshall Badoglio. The effort that is being   
made in New York and elsewhere to assemble a group of Italian-Americans to