852.2221/875: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Bullitt) to the Secretary of State
[Received 12:18 p.m.]
833. Some days ago a committee representing Abraham Lincoln Brigade called on me to ask what the American Government or this [Page 287] mission could do to assist in the evacuation of Americans wounded in Spain and their repatriation. I replied that I had been informed that these American boys had had their way paid to Spain by Mr. Louis Fischer (correspondent of the Nation) with funds derived in part from the Spanish Government through Negrín51 and in part from other sources. I had also been informed that Mr. Fischer still had $150,000 in a bank in Paris unexpended of this fund which had been employed to get American citizens into the Spanish army.
I suggested that the committee address itself, in first instance, to Mr. Fischer to attempt to obtain these funds for the repatriation of these wounded soldiers for whose presence he was responsible. I have had no further visit from this committee; but yesterday Mr. John Whitaker of the Chicago Daily News (replacing Edgar Mowrer who is now in China) called on me and, when I brought up the question of these funds of Louis Fischer, informed me that Fischer had gone to Moscow, Whitaker added that when he had spoken to Fischer about his responsibility for the presence of these wounded men and had suggested that the funds at his disposal should be used for their repatriation Fischer had replied that so long as the fighting was still in progress in Spain his funds were to be used to get men into Spain and not to repatriate them. In other words the American wounded are to be left without assistance by those responsible for their going to Spain.
Inasmuch as there are between two and three thousand American citizens still in the Spanish army and inasmuch as they are coming across the French frontier in considerable numbers, it is clear that their care and repatriation cannot be handled as a local problem. The American Aid Society of Paris has already cared for and repatriated a considerable number of these men; but I am informed by the President of the Society that its funds will not permit any further expenditures of this nature.
[Here follows an article from the Paris New York Herald of May 26, 1938, on this subject.]
It is entirely clear that we should not allow these American citizens to die untended in France where the French Government is unable to make provision for their care. I recall conversations that I had on this subject when I was in the Department on my recent visit and remember that the Department did not look favorably on action by our Government or expenditures by our Government to care for and repatriate these men. I feel certain, however, that in the end our Government will wish to take action to save their lives and it seems to me that such action should be taken before there is an international outcry on this subject.
[Page 288]I venture to suggest that, if you do not wish to ask Congress for funds for the care and repatriation of these men, an appeal should be made to the Red Cross. Indeed I feel that the problem may soon become so serious that it should be handled by the efficient organization which the Red Cross possesses to deal with difficulties of this nature. It might be possible for me, by a personal appeal, to raise further small sums from the American community in Paris; but it will certainly be impossible for me to raise sufficient funds to handle the problem and I have not the staff in Paris to control the expenditure of the moneys involved or the care of the wounded.
I have instructed Consul General Hurley, and Moreland at Bordeaux, to attempt to establish the facts as to the number of wounded now in France and as to the shipments that may be expected.
I should be obliged for instructions at the earliest possible moment.
- Juan Negrín, Spanish Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense.↩