STATEMENT OF THE PLANS FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF DONATED RELIEF SUPPLIES   
           IN ITALY AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO UNRRA           
 
                                                            
 
 
It is highly important before the advent of UNRRA in the Italian field   
to again bring to your attention the situation which surrounds relief   
actities at the present time.  On september 27 I wired Herbert Lehmann   
a preliminary statement in respect to relief activites in Italy.  I   
would like to supplement that statement of which I assume Mr. Lemann,   
    in accord with my request, has furnished you a copy.    
 
                                                            
 
 
Relief to the civilian population as an Italian function is only   
permitted in the liberated zone which has been released to the Italian   
Government.  The released zone at the present time follows a line   
across Itlay, bounded on the north by the released provinces fo Viterbo,  
Rieti, Teramo on a line drawn roughly from Viterbo through Rieti and   
Termo to the coast.  North of that line up to the zone of active   
operations, Allied Military Government is in exclusive control for all   
purposes.  In the released area the ECA, "Ente Communale di   
Assistenza", created by decress in 1937, is the regular agency of the   
Italian Government for the purpose of granting general relief to the   
destitute population.  It may operate soup kitchens, issue relief   
orders for food, "buoni viveri", or pay relief in cash. There is an   
                    ECA in each comune.                     
 
                                                            
 
 
The "Opera Nazionale Maternita ed Infanza" is starting its former   
program of feeding expectant mothers, nursing mothers and pre-school   
children.  The procedure is to admit women to "refectories" on the   
basis of financial need and physical need, as determined in the   
                  Agency's clinics. Like-