Bose Hiding in Italy, 28 May 1941

No. 561 195/139168-70

The Director of the Political Department to the Embassy in Italy

Telegram

MOST URGENT                                                                               

BERLIN, May 28,1941-[11:40 p.m.]

[The time of dispatch is supplied from another copy of this telegram (41/28476)]

No. 1264 e. o. Pol. VII 2751 g.

The well-known Indian nationalist, Subhas C. Bose, who has escaped from India and has been staying here secretly for almost 3 months with an Italian passport, under the cover name of Mazzotta, will arrive in Rome by plane on May 29 at the invitation of the Italian Government. He is accompanied by his secretary, the Reich German, Emilie Schenkl.

The Italian Government has been informed through the Berlin Embassy regarding the conversations that have been carried on here with Bose. The intention is to work together very closely with him in all Indian matters. Extensive confidential plans of large scope are being considered here regarding which the Italian Government has likewise been informed and which in certain circumstances are to be executed on short notice. We are therefore interested in Bose's curtailing his stay in Rome as much as possible and returning here as soon as possible. [In telegram No.1265 of May 28 (41/28477), Woermann advised the Embassy in Rome that it was of decisive importance that Bose, during his stay there, should not be persuaded to transfer the center of his activities to Rome and that this could best be prevented by having him return to Berlin as soon as possible.]

Upon his arrival in Rome, Bose will establish contact with the Embassy. [In telegram No.1296 of June 6 (195/139174) Bismark reported that Bose had arrived in Rome on May 29 but had not yet visited the Embassy] Please receive him in a friendly manner and afford him any help he desires. In Rome he is the guest of the Italian Government. It is possible, however, that there, too, he will need a certain amount of money, which perhaps cannot be given him here in lire at the last moment. In case he expresses such a wish please provide him with the necessary funds and carry these in your books as payments on instruction with reference to this telegram.

The Embassy may indicate to the Italian Government that it is completely informed in regard to Bose's stay. Please report regularly by telegram regarding Bose's stay in Rome and the people who receive him. [In telegrams Nos. 1299, 1331, 1380, and 1455 of June 6, 11, 19, and 27, respectively (195/139171, 39175, 139177, 139178) Bismark reported on Bose's activities in Rome and his reception by Ciano. For further developments in this matter, see vol. XIII of this series.]

WOERMANN

From: US Department of State. Documents on German Foreign Policy, 1918-1945. Series D (1937-1945). Vol. XII. The War Years February 1- June 22, 1941. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1962, 902-903.