CLOSE TO THE VATICAN

Waikato Times, Volume 193, Issue 22190, 9 November 1943, Page 3

CLOSE TO THE VATICAN

DAMAGE AT PALACE WILY GERMANS’ DESIGNS (United Press Assn. —r:ec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Nov. 9, 11.30 a.m.) LOrfDON, Nov. 8

While German propagandists continue to play up the bombing of the Vatican last Friday night in an attempt to arouse feeling against the Allies Swiss newspapers report that unknown planes in mid-September and late October, in hitherto undisclosed raids, dropped bombs on Rome, some falling close to the Vatican. Both raids occurred at night after the capitulation of Italy. The German propaganda chiefs in Rome hushed up the raids. Two bombs during the first raid fell in Via Aurelia, near Vatican territory. Eight bembs in the second heavier raid fell across the Tevere •quarter, about a mile from the Vatican, severely damaging two blocks of fiats and two villas. They are believed to have caused many casualties because raid alarms were not sounded.

The Lisbon correspondent cf the British United Press says that reports trickling in from France state that the Germans bombed Vatican City on Friday to provide themselves with an excuse for removing art treasures. The Germans immediately after the raid strengthened the guards around the Vatican and cordoned off street aoproaches. The Vatican radio, which is broadcasting normally despite German statements that it would cease because it had been severely damaged, announced that Cardinal Canali’s office was severely damaged, also the Council Hall, both of which are in the Governor’s Palace, which is the Vatican City’s administration centre. The private apartments of the palace were also damaged. Pope Orders Inquiry

Allied headquarters in North Africa have issued an official statement on the German report that an Allied plane bombed Vatican City. “While it is manifestly impossible to establish beyond doubt the fall of bombs from planes participating in night operations,” says the statement, “a thorough investigation of the missions carried out cn Friday night indicates that the crews adhered to their definite instructions and did not bomb Vatican City.” A Swiss report states that the German Government has sent a Note to the Vatican denying that the Luftwaffe was responsible for the Vatican bombing. German propaganda journals describe the bombing as the most monstrous crime of the war.

The Pope has ordered an independent investigation into the origin of the bombs, says the Zurich correspondent of the Stockholm paper Afton Tidningen. “Protection” of Pope

The German Ambassador to the Vatican has handed Cardinal Maglione, Secretary of State, an invitation to the Pope from the German Government to take refuge in the tiny independent principality of Lichtenstein. Cardinal Maglione stated: “I have replied that the Pope will in no circumstances leave Rome.”

The diplomatic correspondent of the Sunday Express says the Rome raid may have a sinister motive in giving Hitler an excuse to become "protector of the Pope.” The Germans are known to have stored up British bombs as long ago as the Dunkirk evacuation. It is possible that Hitler.plans to take the Pope to Germany for “safety” and use him as a hostage to prevent Allied attacks on some part of Germany. Into this area he might crowd all Nazi high officials and so ensure their immunity from bombing. ,