THE PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE             
 
                                                            
 
         PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA          
 
                                                            
 
                  TO HIS HOLINESS THE POPE                  
 
                                                            
 
                   Rome,September 1, 1944                   
 
                                                            
 
                    Dear Mr. President:                     
 
                                                            
 
 
 We visited Caserta yesterday and I had a conversation with   
Ambassador Murphy and, pursuant to an arrangement made with him, with   
General Sir Henry Maitland Wilson and later with General Eakers with whom   
we spent a very interesting time. Ambassador Murphy may express some of   
mutual reactions to you as he is shortly returning to Washin
 
                                                            
 
 
I reviewed particularly with General Nilson the question of the   
distribution of relief in Italy, having in mind that in view of the Allied   
position with respect to Italy which the very nature of our occupation   
must, as General Wilson emphasized, continue for an indefinite period,   
certainly for more than a year in one form or another. This occupation   
must be of a substantial enough character to meet the various emergencies   
which may arise in the transition from a Fascist Government to a more   
democratic government. The responsibility for relief activities and their   
success for the procurement of adequate food, clothing and housing depend   
upon Allied provision and I can confirm again the feeling in most quarters   
that, based upon present evidence, there is no assurance that in these   
categories the relief will be adequate to the need. Our effort to fit   
American Relief for Italy into the over-all picture without creating any   
disturbance with other existing agencies and to help spur the Italian   
Government toactivity and responsibility on its part is my objective.   
General ',Wilson was most practical-minded~ cooperative and frank. I feel   
there should be no difficulty in adjusting relationships with him and   
through him with all other services under his control. I indicated that it   
seemed essential that some single agency should be in control of the whole   
field of relief, simplifying procedures and accomplishing objectives with   
                         a minimum                          
 
                                                            
 
                       The President,                       
 
                                                            
 
                      The White House,                      
 
                                                            
 
                        Washington.