Rome's Choice

The Allies last week named the conditions under which Rome can be spared bombings, and called on the Italian government for a prompt answer. The conditions: 1) Rome must be declared an open city; 2) all German and Italian troops must evacuate the city; 3) all military installations and machinery for the production of munitions must remain unused in the city; 4) no trains may pass through Rome; 5) no power may be generated there for war plants outside. These were the conditions under which the Germans spared Paris in June, 1940.

To Britons and Americans who fear the destruction of Rome's Christian shrines and cultural monuments, an R.A.F. spokesman said: " We are not the least interested in attacking . . . monuments, least of all religious edifices. . . . But who would have the hardihood to tell mothers of Britain and America: 'Your sons must die in greater numbers rather than risk disturbing a monument that happens to be next door to a factory making guns or parts for submarines?' '

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