840.48 Refugees/6–1944
The Department of State to the British Embassy
Memorandum
The Aide-Mémoire presented to the Department of State by the British Embassy on June 5, 1944 concerning the proposal for the release of Jews from enemy territory has been examined by the Department and the War Refugee Board with a great deal of interest. Prior to the receipt of the Aide-Mémoire the American Ambassador in Turkey had advised this Government of the proposal in question91 and it was receiving consideration.
[Page 1075]The following represent the present views of the United States Government with respect to the matter:
- 1.
- Any serious suggestions by the Germans to release Jews and other persecuted minorities which are not inconsistent with the successful prosecution of the war should not be rejected until they have been given the fullest possible consideration.
- 2.
- It is not possible, upon the basis of the facts presently known, to make a definite judgment as to the character of the offer in question. However, the United States Government feels that it is important to explore the offer more fully before rejecting it and, in the meantime, to keep the door open. It is quite possible that the proposal in question is merely the forerunner of other proposals, and a flat rejection of the proposal might deny to the two Governments the opportunity of receiving and considering other offers which possibly would be more acceptable.
- 3.
- The United States Government also deems it important to keep the proposal in question under discussion as long as possible in the hope that meanwhile the lives of many intended victims will be spared.
- 4.
- In order to keep open the proposal which has been made, pending further exploration of the matter, the United States Government deemed it desirable to dispatch to the American Ambassador in Turkey the cable of June 8 [9] 194492 a paraphrase of which has been furnished to the British Government. The British Government has already been advised that the special representative of the War Refugee Board is not authorized to enter into any understanding with the Germans in this matter, but simply to explore, under the direction of the American Ambassador, at Ankara, the circumstances surrounding the proposal, thereby indicating to the Germans that the matter is still open.
- 5.
- It is the view of the United States Government that it should be made clear to the Germans by actions as well as words that the British and United States Governments will find temporary havens of refuge for all Jews and similar persons in imminent danger of death whom the Germans are willing to release. This principle does not involve any commitment as to the delivery of refugees which, of course, is subject to the necessities of military operations.
Pending the further exploration of the proposal in question, the British Government may wish to instruct its Ambassador at Ankara to take steps similar to those being taken by the American Ambassador, namely, to keep negotiations open without in any way committing the two Governments to an understanding with the Germans.
The United States Government is prepared to discuss this matter further with representatives of the British Government at their convenience.