Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, General, Volume I

840.48 Refugees/8–2244: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Harrison)

Washington, August 22, 1944—8 p.m.

2888. Refer Department’s 2737 August 9 WRB 112.⁶³ For Harrison and McClelland. Communication has been received from IGC substantiating reports of deportations of holders of Latin American documents from civilian internment camps subsequent to May 11.⁶⁴ lists of names and full details have been supplied. Such deportations took place about May 16 and July 18 from Vittel. Internees at Vittel were informed erroneously by Camp Commandant that transport was to be sent to Bergen-Belsen. They were also advised by the Commandant that neither Latin American documents nor Palestine certificates would have validity in the eyes of the German authorities unless an exchange actually took place to South America or to Palestine.

Please request Swiss Government to inform German Foreign Office that if facts are substantially as reported to it this Government protests against this action as a violation of the assurances previously given by Germany to Switzerland, reported in your 4223 of July 3. Please also request Swiss Government to press for the immediate return of all deportees to civilian internment camps and to secure renewed assurances that such removals from civilian internment camps will not be repeated. It is requested moreover, that the German authorities be advised that failure to return those removed from Vittel subsequent to May 11 to civilian internment camps where refugees are held for exchange will not only be considered as a violation of assurances previously given but further that all interested governments will have no alternative but to consider that those deported, claimants to the protection of these governments, have been disposed of contrary to the rules of humanity and international practice. Further in this connection use may be made of the argument contained in paragraph 3 of Department’s 2490 of July 21.

In view of the fact that the German assurances that there would be no further removals of Latin American document holders from civilian internment camps after May 11 were given to the Swiss Government, it is not only hoped that the Swiss Government will find it possible to transmit the above protest but that it may also support it in its own name.

This is WRB Bern cable 127.

Hull

63. Not printed.
64. According to telegram 5109 of August 8 from Bern, a sharp protest against these actions was lodged through the Swiss Government, but the Germans denied the right of the Swiss to intervene for the protection of persons who were allegedly not nationals of the countries under Swiss protection (840.48 Refugees/8–844).