840.48 Refugees/11–2444: Telegram
The Chargé in Switzerland (Huddle) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:41 a.m.]
7716. For WRB from McClelland. Legation’s 7541, November 14 [15],48 According to latest news from Swiss Legation Budapest brought by Minister Jaeger who is at present in Bern, some 7,000 persons (composed of family groups) holding Palestine certificates are ready to leave for Switzerland. They have all necessary papers including German transit visas but are unable to depart for lack of transportation. Meanwhile they are relatively unmolested and are exempted from forced labor service as are all persons possessing Swiss “protective” documents. In view of military situation it seems unlikely that Germans will choose to allot rolling stock for their transportation. Essential thing is, however, they are not being deported.
Departure of 4,500 or more persons holding Swedish protective papers is even more doubtful as they are reported not to have been granted German transit visas yet.
Will keep you posted on any new developments in this situation. [McClelland.]
- Not printed.↩