840.48 Refugees/12–2344: Airgram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Switzerland (Huddle)
A–631. The following for McClelland is WRB 337. With reference to situation in Slovakia, the following information was received from Vatican City:
“Vatican under date of December 16 transmits report on subject dated December 5 from Slovak Government of which following is substance:
The German military authorities began deporting from Slovakia in October, 1944 the Jews who had been assembled by the Slovakian authorities in labor camps in Slovakia. In addition they deported Jews with American passports who had been residing in the Marianka Castle near Bratislava. When the Slavic Government protested against these measures, the Germans replied that the Jews in Slovakia, after having obtained arms from the partisans, attacked German soldiers with these arms and since Slovakia is becoming the battlefield (according to the Germans) a group of persons who would take up arms again to fight against the Germans when a favorable occasion arises cannot be allowed to remain on this territory. As for the Jews with American passports, the German authorities have indicated that all these Jews will be exchanged against Germans. Until the arrival of the Germans from the United States, the Jews are being detained on German territory where naturally they will be treated in a proper (convenable) manner. The report from the Slovak Government ends with the statement that at the time of writing, the representative of the International Red Cross committee is in Bratislava and can see for himself what the situation is.”
With reference to assistance to Jews in Belsen-Bergen holding Latin American passports, Board is informed by Apostolic Delegate in Washington that Apostolic Nuncio in Berlin took up this matter with the German Government authorities and received a reply to the effect that these Jews, as American citizens, were represented by their own proper protecting powers.