My dear Fred,
I thought it better to mention the President's interview when talking to Monsignore Montini yesterday.

In view of the OSSERVATORE statement, it would have been hypocritical not to do so. He didn't attach much importance to the whole matter, and he seemed to take it for granted that the President could not possibly have quoted the Holy Father. I had emphasized how extremely desirous the President was to talk about the Holy Father, and make public his great esteem for Him, and in such circumstances how easy it was for him to be misquoted by the press.

Later in the day, Mr. Cremin confirmed that the President had said the offending words more than once, and actually emphasized their importance. Mr. Cremin thought I might do something to put the reporter and the Agency right with Dalla Torre, but he did not insist when I explained that we could not do so without letting the P. and the State down. Journalists are accustomed to such contretemps, and are more often than not to blame for them.

I explained to Mr. C. that the only possible course here was to say absolutely nothing, acquiescing in the Dalla Torre slant (which I am sure he wrote with his tongue in his cheek, as he always, in private conversation, blames the ALTI PERSNAGGI.)

Any reference at home would be damaging here, so I hope the matter will be let lie.