ADSS 1.130 Osborne to Tardini: Lord Halifax's message to the Pope

ADSS 1.130 D’Arcy Osborne, UK Minister to the Holy See, to Domenico Tardini, Secretariat of State

Reference: British Legation Number 38/94/39; AES 6819/39

Location and date: Rome, 26.08.1939

Summary statement: Request to deliver Lord Halifax’s message to the Pope.

Language: English

Text:

I have been instructed to convey personally to the Cardinal Secretary of State, or even directly to the Pope himself, a message of appreciation of His Holiness’ broadcast appeal for peace. (1)

In view of these instructions, and since His Eminence is not available, do you think that His Holiness would be disposed to receive me in an audience so that I may personally deliver Lord Halifax’s message in accordance with his instructions?  If so, the earlier I can be received the better.  A telephone message to the Legation (80.846) will always reach me.

I enclose for your personal information a copy of the communication I have prepared for delivery. (2)

Notes: 

(1) ADSS 1.124, n1.

(2) The document has not been found in the ASV.

ADSS 1.129 Tardini notes: UK Minister requests papal audience

ADSS 1.129 Domenico Tardini, notes.

Reference: AES 6819/39

Location and date: Vatican, 26.08.1939

Summary statement: The British Minister requests a papal audience.

Language: Italian

Text:

The British Secretary calls. (1) He tells me that Lord Halifax has instructed His Excellency, Minister Osborne to convey his thanks for the message personally to the Holy Father.

13.00 His Holiness decides to receive His Excellency, the British Ambassador [sic] tomorrow (at 10.15).

Notes: 

(1) Cyril James Torr (1896-1940), Secretary of the British Legation to the Holy See, c1932-40.

ADSS 1.128 Maglione to Cortesi: any concessions?

ADSS 1.128 Luigi Maglione, Sec State, to Filippo Cortesi, Poland.

Reference: Telegram Number 42, AES 5656/39

Location and date: Vatican, 26.08.1939

Summary statement: If the Poland made a concession to Germany over Danzig there could be hope of avoiding conflict.

Language: Italian

Text:

In diplomatic circles it is thought that, if Poland made some concession to Germany about Danzig, it would be possible to reach an understanding. (1) Would Your Excellency please consider how it is possible, without entering into the merits of the interests through vital by Poland, to communicate this news to the Polish Government in order to avoid imminent bloodshed.

Notes: 

(1) ADSS 1.125.  See also DBFP, Series 3, Volume 7, pp157-58.

ADSS 1.127 Tardini notes: telegram for Poland under draft

ADSS 1.127 Domenico Tardini, notes.

Reference: AES 6817/39

Location and date: Vatican, 26.08.1939

Summary statement: Telegram to Poland being drafted. Mussolini is trying to stop Hitler moving to war.

Language: Italian

Text:

09.00. The Holy Father gave me the text of the despatch to be sent in code to Warsaw. (“if Poland made some concession regarding Danzig, a way to east the tension could be opened …”) (1)

11.30.  The Italian Ambassador calls. (2) He tells me that the Foreign Minister (3) is doing his utmost to induce Mussolini to make Hitler understand the difficulty of following him in a war.  The Ambassador mentions a telegram prepared yesterday by Ciano, which at first Mussolini did not want to sign.  Then – the Ambassador infers from the improved news appearing in the newspapers – he signed it.  Attolico (4) then, would take up from there.  The Ambassador admits that the present difficulties to unhitch oneself now, because for one thing Italy would remain isolated and in a difficult position.  He insists that one must work on Poland (5).  I assured him that the Holy See is doing everything possible.

Notes: 

(1) ADSS 1.128.

(2) Bonifacio Pignatti (1877-1957), Italian Ambassador to the Holy See 1935-39.

(3) Galeazzo Ciano (1903-1944), Italian Foreign Minister 1936-43.

(4) Bernardo Attolico (1880-1942), Italian Ambassador to Germany 1935-39. Later Italian Ambassador to the Holy See 1940-42.

(5) See DDI, Series 8, Volume 13.  The day before Attolico had urged Ciano to pressure Mussolini to intervene with Hitler.  “Situation is … very grave … Only a direct personal action by the Duce on the Fuhrer can bring results.” N236, p 157.  Attolico had already telegraphed that, if Poland did not give in, war was inevitable. DDI, series 8, Volume 13, n214, p 139.

ADSS 1.126 Tardini notes: shall we send Tacchi Venture to Mussolini?

ADSS 1.126 Domenico Tardini, notes

Reference: AES 5654/39

Location and date: Vatican, 26.08.1939

Summary statement: Contemplates sending Tacchi Venturi again to Mussolini.  Note by Montini 27.08:  Pope thinks step is superfluous.  Italian gov’t is working in this direction. 

Language: Italian

Text:

The Cardinal Secretary of State telephoned His Excellency Monsignor Tardini.  From this telephone call one could understand that he would suggest to Reverend Father Tacchi Venturi to see the Head of the Italian Government and try to induce him to support a peaceful settlement of the German-Polish dispute.

Note of Montini: Audience with His Holiness.

His Holiness thinks this step is superfluous:  it is clear that the Italian Government is already working in this sense.

Notes: