840.48 Refugees/8–1644: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 16—2:45 p.m.]
6609. For the War Refugee Board from DuBois. The following is the exact text of the joint declaration agreed upon by the British Government:60
Intercross has communicated to the Governments of the United Kingdom and the United States an offer of the Hungarian Government regarding the emigration and treatment of Jews. Because of the desperate plight of the Jews in Hungary and the overwhelming humanitarian considerations involved the two Governments are informing the Government of Hungary through Intercross that, despite the heavy difficulties and responsibilities involved, they have accepted the offer of the Hungarian Government for the release of Jews and will make arrangements for the care of such Jews leaving Hungary who reach neutral or United Nations territory, and also that they will find temporary havens of refuge where such people may live in safety. Notification of these assurances is being given to the governments of neutral countries who are being requested to permit the entry of Jews who reach their frontiers from Hungary. The Governments of the United Kingdom and the United States emphasize that, in accepting the offer which has been made, they do not in any way condone the action of the Hungarian Government in forcing the emigration of Jews as an alternative to persecution and death.
Winant
- Released to the press by the Department of State on August 17, Department of State Bulletin, August 20, 1944, p. 175.↩