840.48 Refugees/7–1944: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Harrison)
2657. Your 4604, July 19. For your information with reference to offer of Hungarian Government to permit departure of Jews from Hungary the British Embassy here on July 26 presented two cables from the British Foreign Office48 suggesting that the matter of surveying and coordinating possible places of refuge for the Jews from Hungary be placed before the Intergovernmental Committee for action. The messages also stated that the possibilities of receiving refugees in Palestine at Casablanca and at Philippeville in Algeria would need to be reviewed. The War Refugee Board and the Department on July 31 delivered a memorandum to the British Embassy suggesting that the responsibility for dealing with the Hungarian offer rests on the British and United States Governments and expressing the judgment that the Intergovernmental Committee, because of the need of consulting other governments, cannot act in time to be effective. The following draft of a proposed cable to Bern was included in the memorandum to the British Embassy with the request that the British Government concur in the transmission of the cable to Bern no later than August 7.
“Amlegation Bern. [Here follows the substance of memorandum of July 24 from the ICRC in Washington, printed on page 1103.]
ICRC should be requested by you to advise the Hungarian Government in the following sense:
‘The ICRC has advised the United States Government of the willingness of the Hungarian Government to permit the emigration from Hungary of certain categories of refugees. Despite the substantial difficulties and responsibilities involved this Government has consistently made clear its determination to take all practicable steps to rescue victims of religious or political oppression.
Taking into account the humanitarian considerations involved concerning the Jews in Hungary, this Government now repeats specifically its assurance that it will arrange for the care of all Jews permitted to leave Hungary in the present circumstances who reach neutral or United Nations territory and will find temporary havens of refuge for such people where they may live in security. The Governments of neutral countries have been advised of these assurances and requested to permit the entry of Jews from Hungary who may reach their borders. Information concerning the concrete steps to be taken by the Hungarian Government to carry out its proposal is now awaited by this Government.’
The foregoing proposal has also been addressed to the British Government which is taking parallel action. You may wish accordingly to join with your British colleague in conveying this expression of joint action to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The ICRC should be advised that in the opinion of this Government it is considered unnecessary in view of the above assurances to consult at this time the governments of the South American Republics.
It is a matter of urgency that the International Committee of the Red Cross convey the foregoing representations without delay to the Government of Hungary. Appreciation should be expressed to the ICRC for its cooperation in this matter. Kindly report promptly the results of the action taken by you.”
To avoid any possible misunderstanding it is repeated that the foregoing draft cable to Bern is now before the British Government for clearance and concurrence and is sent to you at this time solely for your information and understanding. You are not to take the action suggested until specifically advised to do so. In the meantime you are authorized to advise the ICRC informally that the British and United States Governments are in consultation on the matter and that a reply to the ICRC note will be forthcoming shortly.
Sent to Bern. Repeated to London, as Departments 6096 of August 2.
- Neither printed.↩