REMOVAL OF POPE

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 12, 9 October 1943, Page 5

REMOVAL OF POPE

Alleged Nazi Intention (Received October 8, 8.15 p.m.) LONDON, October 7. According to diplomatic, reports from Italy which have been received in Zurich, the Germans intend to remove the Pope to a north Italian town which would offer greater security should Rome be in danger of capture by the Allies. The Germans state openly that they have now assumed the protection of the Holy Father and they cannot allow him to risk his life, as street fighting is bound to occur in Rome should the Allies enter. The Catholic newspaper “Universe,” published in London, quotes a report that the Germans are speeding up preparations for the demolition of Rome on a grand scale. Moreover, the Germans are apparently making preparations to wage a fierce battle to keep a stranglehold on Rome, which for their own purposes they have till now been insisting is an opeu city. The German determination to fight for Italy is underlined by Swiss reports that considerable contingents, including defence works specialists, have been withdrawn from the Leningrad front and are being sent to Italy. One prisoner taken on the Fifth Army front was a youngster of 16 years. His identity card gave his occupation as “schoolboy.” The Germans now in Italy are estimated at 20 to 25 divisions, said the United States Secretary of War,. Mr. Stimson. The Germans, he said, were reinforcing Italian units and the Eighth Army was encountering stiffer resistance as it advanced up the coast. Mr. Stimson said that the American casualties in the first four weeks since the landing at Salerno number 511 killed, 5428 wounded, and .2638 missing, which is somewhat heavier than the British components in the Fifth Army.