Your telegram 55¹ received on 18th March, presented to Secretary of State 20th March. He asked me to state Chancellor had already several months ago given most precise instructions that anything that might be regarded as a military objective should be kept away from in Rome, that no troops should be stationed in City and that no military transports should pass through it; that these orders have been observed and that few hundred troops in Rome are performing purely police functions; and, finally, that any allegations contrary to foregoing are completely false and only designed to put on Germans responsibility for eventual destruction of Rome and its monuments. The Holy See had already been advised of orders given and measures taken.

As regards movability of art treasures, these, like those of Cassino Monastery, had also been put in security in so far as possibility.

He described air raids on Rome as having no military justification whatever.

In connection with possibility of an agreement, as referred to in message, designed to lead to evacuation of Rome, I gathered from Secretary of State that German authorities believe Allies cannot get to Rome, and take view that question of evacuation does not therefore arise. He said, if Germans had not occupied Rome, it would now be in hands of Communists who have strong movement there and are source of considerable trouble.