740.00115 E. W./7–1944: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Harrison)
3082. American Interests—Europe, Repatriation. Please inform Swiss Government for guidance of its representatives in Europe in charge of American interests that following classes of individuals are established in order to permit United States Government to designate which classes of individuals eligible for exchange are to have priority in any given operation. Lists for any specified exchange will be made up from one or more of these priority groupings depending upon the administrative, transportation and other circumstances attendant upon each exchange. The priority groupings are as follows:
- A.
- Persons receiving financial assistance through the protecting Power under authorization of the government to which they owe allegiance, and their spouses and/or children. Under this heading unqualified first priority shall be extended to those persons who are ill, mentally afflicted or aged but able to travel, and unqualified second priority shall be given to those women and children who are unaccompanied by the head of the family. Among the rest, priority shall be accorded to those arrested or interned over those who are at liberty.
- B.
- Persons not receiving financial assistance who have otherwise been extended formal recognition of their nationality through the protecting Power since the outbreak of hostilities. Priorities under this heading shall be the same as under A. Spouses and/or children are to be included.
- C.
- Immediate family members, regardless of the state of their documentation, of citizens of the United States or of the other American republics who were repatriated in earlier exchanges. This heading is intended to cover spouses and/or children. Other categories of relatives or dependents should not be included under this heading unless specifically authorized by the Department.
- D.
- Bona fide nationals of the Western Hemisphere countries, regardless of the state of their documentation, who are confined in institutions for the mentally or incurably afflicted. This covers also the spouses and/or children of such persons.
- E.
- Individuals whose lives are in jeopardy whose claim to nationality is not questioned but whose right to protection may be doubtful because of extended residence abroad, lack of ties in the Western Hemisphere or some other technical reason. Within this category the same priorities shall be applied as under A. Spouses and/or children shall be included.
- F.
- Individuals whose lives are in jeopardy and who bear documentation reflecting a right to exercise citizenship of or, alternatively, a right of protection by or admission into one of the republics of the Western Hemisphere, the circumstances of whose cases preclude adequate examination of the juridical basis of such right by the interested government until peace is restored in Europe or appearance is made before a consular or diplomatic officer of the respective republic, whichever first occurs. Priorities within this group shall be the same as under A. Spouses and/or children are included.
The Department is notifying the other American republics of the foregoing priorities system with the invitation to join with the United States in its adoption and inform their protecting Power accordingly with the request that lists of their nationals desiring repatriation be compiled in accordance with the foregoing categories.91
- On November 9, 1944, a seventh category was added to the priorities groupings (airgram No. A–540, November 9 to Bern, and amendment noted in telegram No. 4289, December 20 to Bern, neither printed); this classification, Category G, comprised immediate family members (spouses and/or children), regardless of the state of their documentation, of American citizens and of alien residents of the United States or of other American Republics. (740.00115 EW/7–1944)↩