Catholic citizens of the United States."
 
    
 
 
 A reply has been sent forward to the Secretary of State to His Holiness  
that the Government of the United States is deeply concerned and anxious that  
the maximim relief should be extended to the civilian populations of was   
stricken areas in Europe; however, it was pointed out that there were a large  
number of organizations in the United States engaged in raising money for this  
purpose, that the government had no connection with any of these private   
organizations except such as was provided by the Neutrality Act, that the   
government was not a participant in any of their respective activities and   
that therefore it was beyond the power of the President to name the members of  
the Commission, as suggested. The Secretary of State to His Holiness was, however,  
advised that the substance of his specific request had been transmitted to the  
Commission for Polish Relief and that doubtless that organization would communicate   
directly with the Holy See with reference thereto.
 
                                       
 
 
  Very truly yours,
                                                   Cordell Hull