The Wilmington morning star., 1943-08-16
ITALIANS WARNED
OF new B0MBINCS
CONTINUED From Page One)

ing street, Prime Minister Churc.
hills residence, it was indicated
any announcement would be likely
to come from the prime minister
himself, now in Canada.
If the Rome request is granted
presumably the Allied conditions
would set a pattern for any future
cases, such as Berlin.
Reports from Switzerland las
week said some departments o1
Adolf Hitler's government already
were moving out of Berlin to Wen
ma and that the Germans might
seek to make Berlin an open city
also.
It was pointed out, however, that
the immensity of the German gov.
ernment machinery, all centereo
in Berlin, and the city's large scale
war production would make it ex
ceedingly difficult for the capital
to qualify as an open town.
The popular view in London was
that the most drastic steps should
be taken by the Badoglio govern,
ment before any agreement is
made concerning Rome.
The attitude was summed up ir
the Sunday Times by the commen.
tator "Scrutator" who said: eve
recall President Roosevelt said o1
Mussolini and his friends that nc
criminal will be allowed to escape
by the expedient of resignation.
We should make it equally clear
that no city will be allowed to es.
cape by the expedient of calling it.
self open. So long as it contains
a single (railway) siding that car
serve army transport in any form,
or single factory working for the
fighting forces that siding and that
factory are liable to be bombed" "
The Rome broadcast apparently
was planned as SOLDERING antldote
to the popular excitement created
in the Italian capital, where spe
cial editions appeared with head
ings "Rome declared open city,
and where crowds collected ir
Saint Peters Square to offer pray
ers of thanksgiving.
Presumably many in the twice
bombed city thought this meant au
tomato immunity.
In a detailed explanation, tht
Rome radio said:
"The decision of the Italian gov
ernment to declare Rome an oper
city is, among other things, proc
of its determination to preserve
the Holy City of Catholicism from
air attack and to preserve sacree
monuments and the seat of thou
sands of years of civilization.
"Article 25 of the Hague con
vention of 1907 which reiterates ar
ticle 25 of the previous convention
of 1899 lays it down that it is for
bidden to attack cities, villages
houses or buildings that are no
defended.
"This is a measure that pro
tects undefended cities in wartime
1t has not yet been clearly stated
what the position of an open city
is.
'It seems beyond doubt that oper
cities can still retain inside theil
walls military forces in norma
garrison strength together with
their arms and munitions in order
to maintain public order if they
are called upon to do so.
''But it would seem certain tina
the higher military commands, tina
is to say the nerve centers' o:
war, can under no circumstances
remain in an open city.
This indeed because they woule
represent military objectives.
'In order that the declaration
may become valid, measures lale
down by International law must be
satisfied. The enemy ascertain:
this through the medium OF duly
accredited representative.
"a bilateral open city" declara
ton is then issued. From then or
all bombing attacks from the all
are prohibited.