ADSS 1.23 William Godfrey (1), Apostolic Delegate United
Kingdom to Luigi Maglione, Sec State.
Reference:
Telegram no 4 (AES 2357/39)
Location
and date: 05.05.1939
Summary
statement: Before replying to the papal proposal the British Government wishes
to consult its allies.
Language:
Italian
Text:
While
Government indispensably [sic] appreciates in full His Holiness’ initiative
considers it is necessary, to avoid misunderstandings, to mention British point
of view to French and Polish ministers before sending formal reply.
I
have been asked if similar requests re being made to parish and Warsaw and if
British Government can consult France and Poland. (2)
Notes:
(1)
William Godfrey (1889-1963), Apostolic Delegate to the United Kingdom 1938-53.
(2)
See DBFP, Series 3, Volume 5, n385, pp 439-40.
Viscount Halifax (1881-1959), British Foreign Secretary 1938-40,
reported his conversation to D’Arcy Osbourne (1884-1964), British Minister at
the Vatican 1936-47. The pope’s message
sent through Godfrey was reported ibid,
n362, p420. See too Owen Chadwick (1986), Britain and the Vatican, pp
62-63. Halifax expressed his
disappointment that Russia had not been invited to which Godfrey replied that
the Pope was not in a position to invite the Soviet Union.
William Godfrey (1889-1963)
Apostolic Delegate 1938-53
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