of the courtesy which had been extended to him upon his arrival on Italian
soil and of his gratitude for the permission to pass through Italian
territory. Cardinal Maglione replied that he would certainly make ita a
point to have the Italian Ambassador to the Holy See inform the Italian
Foreign Minister of Mr. Taylor's sentiments in that regard.
II. JAPANESE: Mr. Taylor pointed out to the Cardinal Secretary of State
that the admission of a Japanese representative to the Vatican Diplomatic
Corps, coming as it did about the time of the attack on American territory,
has made a very bad impression in the United States. Cardinal Maglione
declared, in reply, that it must be remembered that the Japanese request
had been recieved a long time previous to that date and that, though it
lasped from time to time, it was always under consideration; thus when the
renewed request was presented the Holy See felt that it could not refuse.
This explanation was given to the American Government, the Cardinal
declared, and had apparently, proved satisfactory. Ambassador Taylor
again stressed the point that this event had indeed, made a bad impression
in the United States- on the American people in general. At this point
His Eminence stated that he could understand how, under the circumstances,
and especially in view of the attack on America, this could be so, but
that he counted on the good sense and intelligence of the American people
to comprehend the entire situation, especially if it were to be explained
to them. His Eminence added that the Holy See could not, under the
cicumstances, have told the intermediary, who presented the Japanese case,
that the Vatican would not accede to the request of the Japanese
Government because the latter had ordered an attack on the United States.
This would, as evident, have been a descent to the filed of politics from
which the Holy See must hold