840.48 Refugees/7–2546: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Poland (Lane)
u.s. urgent
755. Urtel 1144 July 25. You are requested to bring following immediately to attention FonOff:
Begin summary: US military authorities report sudden and unexpected increase in movement Jewish refugees from Poland to Austria has created critical situation. In first six days Aug over 10,000 refugees arrived unexpectedly from Poland by train which crossed Zecho territory. Majority of these refugees have infiltrated US zone Vienna and US zone Austria. Camp space in US occupied areas Austria can not be provided in future for any increased number of refugees.
Nature of movement of Jewish refugees is such to indicate that it could not be carried out without knowledge or approval of Polish Govt. While US policy has always favored providing a haven for refugees, limited facilities and supplies in Austria, as well as overcrowding due to large number of displaced persons, make it imperative that movement of refugees be regulated in an orderly manner. US Govt requests urgency cooperation of Polish Govt in reaching solution of this problem and suggests that agreement be reached with CG USFA and with Zecho Govt to provide prior clearance for movement of refugees by train across Zecho to Austria. Note sent to Zecho Govt93 requesting cooperation in regulating movement of refugees.
This situation has been discussed with JDC officials Washington who suggest willingness to facilitate negotiations for agreement to provide regular and orderly movement of refugees, taking into account limited facilities now existing in Austria. End summary.
Suggest you contact JDC representative, Warsaw, informing him of foregoing and requesting cooperation in regulating movement of refugees.
Sent to Warsaw as 755; repeated to Moscow as 1471, to Praha as 1021, to London as 5978, and to Vienna as 747.
- The substance of the note was transmitted in telegram 1020, August 12, to Praha, not printed.↩