DEPARTMENT OF STATE                     
 
                     INCOMING TELEGRAM                      
 
           DIVISION OF COMMUNICATIONS AND RECORDS           
 
                           RA-117                           
 
                                                            
 
 
This telegram must be   
closely paraphrased before   
               being communicated to anyone.                
 
                        Vatican City                        
 
                  Dated December 13, 1944                   
 
                   Rec'd 9:07 a.m., 14th                    
 
                     Secretary of State                     
 
                         Washington                         
 
                  405, December 13, 7 p.m.                  
 
              FOR PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY ONLY              
 
                                                            
 
 
I consider it my duty to advise that between shipment at New   
York and delivery to American relief for Italy outside docks at Naples   
American relief for Italy materials equalling 4% of first three shipments   
have disappeared. It is currently stated that as high as 20%  and on the   
present average of over 10% of all Army food and clothing arriving at   
Naples has likewise disappeared in that port. As these docks are entirely   
under military control it is very much to be feared that an unpleasant   
publicity derogatory to our Army and Navy may eventually develop. I am   
told that this situation on such a grand scale could not develop without   
an organized group directing it. As a result of the speculations American   
Army food is currently sold by vendors in black market operations in   
                      Naples and Rome.                      
 
                             TAYLOR                         
 
                            REP