ADSS 1.244 Maglione to Giobbe: rumours

ADSS 1.244 Luigi Maglione, Sec State, to Paolo Giobbe, Netherlands

Reference: Telegram 16 (AES 496/40)

Location and date: Vatican, 15.01.1940

Summary statement: Rumours of an imminent German offensive against Holland or the Maginot Line (France).

Language: Italian

Text:

Received coded telegram 25 (1).  In answer to enquiry from Diplomat here reply was given that there are rumours of an offensive taking place towards the middle of February or even before either against Maginot Line or Holland.  It has been added that it is not possible to check the substance of such rumours.  Your Excellency, in giving this reply to Foreign Minister (2), should request him to handle subject with greatest circumspection.

Maglione added:

The Diplomat referred to in Monsignor Giobbe’s telegram must be the Belgian Ambassador (3).  Following instructions from his Government, he inquired on 12.01.1940 and received the exact same reply reproduced in today’s telegram to Monsignor Giobbe.

Notes: 

(1) ADSS 1.243

(2) Eelco van Kleffens (1894-1984), Dutch Minister for Foreign Affairs 1939-46.

(3) Adriaan van Nieuwenhuys (1877-1952), Belgian Ambassador to the Holy See 1939-46.

ADSS 1.242 Maglione notes: rumours

ADSS 1.242 Luigi Maglione, Sec State, notes

Reference: AES Germany 774

Location and date: Vatican, 10.01.1940

Summary statement: Hungarian ambassador reported UK and French gov’ts are anxious over Holy See and secret dealings with Germany.

Language: Italian

Text:

I received the visit of His Excellency the Minister of Hungary (1).  He tells me that Great Britain and France are anxious because the Holy See is dealing secretly with the Germans.  To my query he replies he was informed about his by the French Ambassador to the Holy See (2).

Notes: 

(1) Gabriel Apor (1889-1969) Hungarian Ambassador to the Holy See, 1939-44.

(2) Added by hand: “Sent note immediately to the Holy Father who called the British Minister in the next day.”  There were secret negotiations in progress for the visit of German Foreign Minister, Joachim Ribbentrop, to the Holy See.  See ADSS 1.254 n1.

ADSS 8.352 Rotta to Maglione on Slovak Jews

By mid-April 1942 news of the deportation of the Slovak Jews had elicited responses and protests from Bratislava, London, Budapest and Rome.  The documents I have posted from late January 1942 show the progression from rumour and denial, to evidence and qualification to condemnation and attempts at justification on the part of the Slovakian government.  In the documents that follow the Vatican continued to press for a halt to the deportation.  In ADSS 8.352 Angelo Rotta, Nuncio to Hungary relayed a message he had received through Anna Vegh (1914-1945) who worked in an Hungarian relief group.

Rumours had reached Hungary that the health of priest-president Tiso of Slovakia was suffering because of the papal protest against the deportation of the Jews.  Rotta adds towards the end that Guiseppe Burzio, the papal charge d'affaires in Bratislava is isolated because of fear of the Slovak police.  Rumours, however tenuous, were as much a part of the picture that reached Rome as were verifiable pieces of evidence.



ADSS 8.352

Reference: Report no: 7220/42 (N. Pr 563) (AES 3041/42 original)
Location and date: Budapest, 17.04.1942

Summary statement: Information on the situation of the Slovak Jews,

Language: Italian

Text:

A good Hungarian lady, Anna Végh (1914-1945), who is a member of a Relief Committee, and who had already provided information about the treatment of the Jews in Slovakia, brought me the enclosed aide memoire (1) which shows that the intervention of the Holy See was highly appreciated and greatly effective. It is also hoped that the Holy See will continue to exercise its influence for further good. (2)

Madame Végh told me that she had heard that Monsignor Tiso, greatly impressed by the intervention of the Holy Father, has suffered setbacks in his health. But I have not included this in the aide memoire because I am not absolutely certain. She added that Monsignor Burzio [charge d’affaires for the Holy See in Bratislava] is a little isolated, because nobody has the courage to go to the office of the papal representative, for fear of being reported to the police.

References:
(1) Not published.
(2) See ADSS 8.360, 382.