COPY                            
 
                                                            
 
 
Legazione del Sovrano Mititare  
ORDINE DI MALTA  
                     Presso La S. Sede                      
 
                 Rome, September 23rd 1944.                 
 
                        Excellency,                         
 
                                                            
 
 
As His Highness the Grand Master was temporarily absent from Rome,   
I informed him at once by letter on the 19th inst. of the meeting that had   
taken place on that same day, following your invitation, of the various   
Chiefs of Mission of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, in   
ou informed us of the founding of the "Ente Nazionale dei So
 
                                                            
 
 
  His Highness returned yesterday to Rome, and he asked me to express   
to you all his admiration and deep appreciation for your special interest   
in this matter, and the understanding you have shown of the moral and   
material needs of the Italian people so hardly tried. The Grand Master has   
charged me likewise to hand to your Excellency the enclosed cheque of   
500.000, lire as a contribution stated by the Counsel of the Sovereign   
rder of Malta in fayour of the "Ente Nazionale dei Soccorsi"
 
                                                            
 
 
  The International Order, as you already Know, has its national   
organisations in the various countries: the Italian branch of the Order   
has done and is doing its utmost to alleviate the difficulties and   
suffering caused by the war. Every possible kind of assistance is being   
given through its hospitals, first-aid posts, nursing-homes, hospitals-  
     trains, including personal assistance to refugees.     
 
                                                            
 
 
   On this occasion I wish to convey to your Excellency the sincerest   
gratitude of H.H. the Grand Master Prince Chigi Albani for the valuable   
help given by the Civilian War Relief of the American Red Cross to our   
Order with the large consignements of clothing, food and medical supplies.   
This help was especially useful during the months preceding the entry of   
the Allied troops in Rome, when the Sovereign Order was thus able to   
alleviate the suffering in Southern Italy, especially in Naples through   
    our various charitable institutions that are there.     
 
                          I am...