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                 (COPY FOR SECRETARY HULL)                  
 
  MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE   
 
              on the subject of Rlief in Italy              
 
                                                            
 
 
In connection with the telegram which was addressed to the Honorable   
Herbert Lehmann under date of September 27, 1944 ( and which he has been   
requested to communicate to the department) we would strongly urge that   
the actual distribution fo relief be coordinated in all respects under the   
leadership of the National Committee for the Distribution of Relief   
Supplies in Italy.  As you have been informed, that organization   
comprehend the use of all facilities on a free basis of the Italian   
Government, the Vatican, and the Italian Red Cross.  Its administrative   
office has now been completed  with approved excutives on an efficient and   
economical basis, and its operations are conducted under the advice and   
supervision of representatives of Allied Force Headquarters, and Allied   
Control Commission, American Red Cross, American Relief for Italy Inc.,   
and now with the entry of UNRRA it naturally requires representation by   
that organization on the advisory and supervisory group.  A separate   
activity in the field of relief would undoubtedly cause confusion and   
waste.  To meet the emegency of this winter the minimum basic vital  
supplies that are needed can be summed up, excluding prevision for   
        children contemplated by UNRRA, as follows:         
 
1) Flour, from which various food items in different forms can be made   
(wheat imposes conversion and is therefore not immediately useful;   
        milling facilities are not always available)        
 
            2) Cheese, so basic in Italian diet             
 
                 3) Coffee, Sugar and Soap                  
 
    4) Clothing and shoes; Blankets are urgently needed.    
 
                                                            
 
 
If these items can be provided in bulk quantities the winter can be tied   
over if transportation is made available  to deliver these products in the   
devastated provinces befor the floods make the rivers impassable, the   
bridges having been quiegenerally destroyed and not rebuilt.
 
                                                            
 
 
The advisory group above discribed met with very stisfactory results at a   
eeting last Saterday and Tuesday with the following attendin
 
                 Ambassador Myron C. Talyor                 
 
             H.E. Prime Minister Ivanoe Bonomi              
 
                  Judge Juvenal Marchisio                   
 
     Dr. Zanotti-Bianco, President of Italian Red Cross     
 
      Mr. Howard B. Barr, Deputy for Mr. Taylor A.R.I.      
 
       Mr. Franklin C. Gowen, US Department of State        
 
                  H.E. Prine Carlo Pacelli                  
 
              H.E. Ambassador Sir Noel Charles              
 
  H.E. Minister Visconti-Venosta, Italian Foreign Minister  
 
               Brig. General G. S. Parkinson                
 
     Engineer C. B. Viscentini, Director Nat. Committe      
 
             Commadore Ellery W. Stone, A.C.C.              
 
                 H.E. Prince Doria Pamphili                 
 
          Mr. Maason H. Dobson, American Red Cross          
 
bassador Kirk was unable to attend the Tuesday lucheon meeti