linger; Allied Commission selected Brigadier G. S. Parkinson; American Red   
Cross selected Mr. W. W. Jefferson; Mr. Howrd Barr and myself representing   
American Relief for Italy, Inc.  This little group meets at my office   
occasionally and discuss these problems.  We also had one meeting with   
eral Henry Maitland Wilson at which we discribed our activit
 
                                                            
 
 
The suggested and explored the area most in need of assistance, ie. the   
area between the Hitler and Gustave lines, the scene of military   
activities during all of last winter.  The National Committee set up in   
that area in the different Provinces and communes an organization through   
which relief can be profitably and constantly administered, using all the   
facilities of the three organizations; the State, the Vatican   
( the church ) and the Italian Red CRoss.  This plan will be followed in   
the other released area which is now under study, being the area presently   
under extreme military operations in the northern regiions and on the   
                      Adriatic coast.                       
 
                                                            
 
 
Among other papers presented will be found a description of the present   
facilities of the three Italian agencies; the State, the Vatican and the   
Italian Red Cross, and the presentation of our point of view that UNRRA   
which is now about to begine relief activities in Italy, should syphon its   
elief through the National Committee and the agencies which I have   
described, rather than undertake any separate orgaanizations for relief   
distribution.  We believe this plan is sound in principle and absolutely   
                   essential in practice.                   
 
                                                            
 
 
In regard to the avilability of trucks and assistance in the distribution   
of relief, the files of General Wilson and others can disclose the efforts   
we have made with competent authorites to permit the allocation of   
shipments proptly to the National Committee, or to AMerican Relief for   
Italy, Inc., as thecase might be, of 500 or less trucks for this purpose.    
Our efforts have been without effet.  We have also asked for a   
contribution of salvaged materials from the army and navy that would be a   
godsend to the people who have no roof to cover them, no adequate clothing   
to put on, very little food, if any, and a deficiency in medicines and all  
 other supplies which woudl maintain life within a reasonable level.  The   
greatest calamity of all, and one that is bound to reflect serious   
discredit upon the officialdom of your Government and ours, is the failure  
 up to this time to deliver a single pound of AMerican relief supplies   
into the hands of those who are vitally in need.  From this fact the most   
embarrassing , and perhaps dangerous, reactions might ensue.  After he   
utmost effort and persuasion, the first shipment of goods, materials and   
supplies from Americna Relief for Italy, Inc. arrived off the port of   
Naples on Friday last.  To our disconfiture and chagrin the vessel has   
been diverted to Leghorn.  We are told that the relief materials are at   
the bottom of cargo underneath 9,000 tons of urgent military materials.   
          All the plans for unloading, warehousing