i                               i  
                                                            
 
 
Allied military generally concurred in these observations. It was again   
noted by Ccamodore Stone and the group concurred in the thought that basic   
food requirements should be met through normal channels but that the   
cy of this winter offered am opportunity for this type of ac
 
                                                            
 
 
On the subject of food and clothing all present agreed that a few   
sic items should be concentrated on at the expense of variet
 
                                                            
 
 
The subject of transportation was discussed in great detail  
in that it is the key problem in the entire Italian situation, Mr, Taylor   
and Judge Marchisis brought to the attention of the group the discussion   
and comments of Major Kiplinger of Allied Force Headquarters who stated   
arrangements were presently under way to utilize to the fullest extent   
convoys returning from the combat area within 30 kilometers on each side   
of the principal military highway providing the transport of civilian   
goods would not delay a military convoy more than 24 hours. Commodore   
Stone and Prime Minister Bonomi observed that this would be of great   
assistance in meeting the bulk needs of the Italian communities. It was   
also hoped that the use of rail would be similarly arranged as that the   
transport facilities presently in the country would be fully used. Prime   
Minister Benoral informed the group that a national agency for the   
coordination of Italian truck transport had been organized at the instance   
of the Allied Commission. It is hoped that this agency will act as a   
national pool of Italian civilian transport and will expedite economic use   
of such available transport. He further observed that he was not sure that   
such a plan would not bog down free movement of transport and entail so   
much confusion that it would meet with little suesess. He was sure that if   
this was the case the agency would be thoroughly redirected or dissolved.   
It was apparent from the general comment that additional trucks and the   
critical need for replacement parse including tires and batteries, if met,   
would activate a substantial number of Italian motor vehicles and relieve   
the transport situation. Engineer Vicentini, Mr. Bart and Judge Marchisis   
advanced the hope that new vehicles from America or other countries could   
save the situation by acting as a nucleus for essential transport and that   
as repair parts were received Italian  trucks could be added to this   
                     essential nucleus.                     
 
                                                            
 
 
Transport by ship between the islands of Sardinia, Sicily and the mainland   
as well as coastwise shipping was generally discussed. Commodore Stone   
stated that the AC had been attempting for some months to get the release   
of available small Italian tonnage to move grain, salt, sulphur, coal and   
other essentials from the islands to the mainland. He stated that he had   
not been able to get adequate tonnage despite its apparent availability.   
Prime Minister Benomi felt sure that there were adequate crews and   
administrative personnel to administer a program of coastwise shipping and   
that it was difficult for him to understand why this means had not been   
more greatly used. Commador Stone replied that he was using every means   
possible to expdite teh use of schoomers, tha the sincerley hoped the   
  Prime Minister and the Italian Government would see that