Establishment of an Indian Liberation Coordination Office in Rome, 4 October 1941

No. 379 195/139223

The Ambassador in Italy to the Foreign Ministry

Telegram

SECRET ROME, October 4, 1941-2:05 p.m.
No. 2413 of October 4; Received October 4-2:30 p.m.

The Italian Foreign Ministry communicated today officially that Count Ciano had ordered the establishment of a special office in which, under the direction of the Indian, Schedai, all official, semiofficial, and private activities connected with Indian liberation movement are to be coordinated. [In a letter of Sept. 21 (4757/E233877-83) addressed to Counselor Doertenbach of the German Embassy in Rome, Schedai gave a detailed account of his recent conversations in Germany whither he had gone at Woermann's request because "my presence was needed in Berlin for consultation regarding Indian work." In this account Schedai stressed repeatedly that he was urged by his principal Foreign Ministry contact, Trott zu Solz, as well as by Bose that he should stay in Berlin and work with them.] The office, which will be located on one floor of an office building, is being placed under the Foreign Ministry, which will detail to this office a liaison official with the rank of a secretary of legation.

The Foreign Ministry stated that the Embassy would be regularly informed about the activity of the office, and asked for its part to be informed on the activity of the Berlin India office. [In telegram No.2041 of Oct. 8 (4757/E233911) Keppler informed Mackensen that it was the intention, as he knew, to set up an office for Bose in Berlin. He added: "However, the opening of the office and the strengthening of India propaganda has been put off until a later, suitable moment."]

MACKENSEN

From: US Department of State. Documents on German Foreign Policy, 1918-1945. Series D (1937-1945). Vol. XIII. The War Years June 23-December 11, 1941. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1964, 611-12.