DEPARTMENT OF STATE                     
 
                      INCOMING TELGRAM                      
 
                           RS-130                           
 
                           PLAIN                            
 
                            Rome                            
 
                  Dated December 21, 1944                   
 
                        Rec'd 12:30                         
 
                     Secretary of State                     
 
                         Wahington                          
 
                         US URGENT                          
 
                     414, Twenty-first                      
 
                                                            
 
 
As Chairman of American Rlief for Italy I am speaking to you   
tonight from ancient Rome with its history spanning the centuries,   
Rome the Pagan and then Christian center. Out of its ashes it has   
risen time and again to outlive the folly of its rulers, to begin   
the upward struggle for freedom and the pursuit of happiness
 
                                                            
 
 
As Christams once more dawns upon a war-torn world millions of our   
men and women drawn overseas by a vicious assault upon universal   
liberty and justice are looking through their minds eye into your   
homes.  They see in retrospect your bright firesides, you gaily   
decorated Christmas trees, the well laden family table. They see   
the little and the big stockings hanging about the firsplace. They   
       lend their ears to hear the Christmas carols         
 
                      on your radio or