861.00/11894: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Phillips) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 24—10:10 a.m.]
1080. Telegram No. 45 from Mr. Tittmann.26 It would be helpful if the Department could let me have any evidence that may come to hand of increased religious tolerance in Russia.
Would it not be possible now for us to go further than we did in our recent statement in which we repudiated for ourselves Communist principles and doctrine? Could we not make a declaration in the sense that in lending our support to Russia and in preparation for the peace we would hope that the Soviet Government would abandon its attitude of religious and political intolerance and adopt instead more humane and liberal policies? Some such pronouncement would have reassuring effect on the Holy See and Catholic countries and it seems to me on all decent people as well. [Tittmann.]
- Harold H. Tittmann, Jr., assistant to Myron C. Taylor, Personal Representative of the President to Pope Pius XII.↩