The Personal Representative of the   
President of the United States of America  
                  To His Holiness the Pope                  
 
                     October 28, 1944.                      
 
                    Dear Mr. President:                     
 
                                                            
 
 
  In a telegram which I have sent today   
recounting my audience with His Holiness the Pope this morning, I   
indicated that we would be sending a lengthy statement in respect to   
the development and plans for the distribution of donated relief to   
the destitute population in that part of Italy which has been   
released by the military authorities to the Italian Government. A  
ccompanying this letter that statement will be found. It describes   
the facilities now in existence at the disposition of the Government,   
the Vatican and the Italian Red Cross which, as you know, we have   
recently brought together on a basis of free service in the National   
     Committee for the Distribution of Relief in Italy.     
 
                                                            
 
 
 The expansion of these facilities as  
emergencies may require, will meet all needs. This is the opinion of   
all here who have shown active interest in the problem. The vital   
deficiencies through which only these facilities can be made to   
function effectively are an adequate supply of food, principally   
wheat products, milk in available forms, cheese, sugar and coffee   
that would be required from America, and additional transportation,   
i.e. trucks. Other essentials commonly used in Italy, such as oil,   
wine and salt, with improved transportation facilities are available   
                      in this region.                       
 
                     To the President,                      
 
                      The White House,                      
 
                      Washington, D.C.