840.48 Refugees/621: Telegram
The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
London, August 5, 1938—1
p.m.
[Received 1:24 p.m.]
[Received 1:24 p.m.]
722. For the Secretary and Under Secretary from Myron Taylor.
- 1.
- Berenger and I met with Winterton at the Home Office privately on the afternoon of August 4 to discuss the approach to Germany. Makins,5 Coulon6 and Pell7 were also present.
- 2.
- Certain basic facts emerged in the conversation upon which we were agreed: in the first place the consensus was that the approach to Germany should take place at Berlin and not through the German Ambassador at London. Second, it should take the form in the first instance of an inquiry through the German Foreign Office whether the German Government would be prepared to receive the Director appointed by the Intergovernmental Committee. Third, the original inquiry should be made by the American Ambassador at Berlin but after consultation with the British and French Ambassadors who should support him by notifying the interest of their respective governments in the success of this negotiation. Fourth, every appearance of a group descent upon Germany should be avoided. Fifth, the Director should go to Berlin only upon an indication from the German Government that it would receive him. Sixth, he should proceed in exploratory conversations first of all with the Foreign Office, then with appropriate party leaders aiming at Hitler, who, all were agreed would have to make the final decision. Winterton said that he must say frankly that his information indicated that the German Government was not greatly disposed to discuss this question. Berenger confirmed this view and warned that we must be careful lest the Germans seize upon the proposed negotiation to dump not only human beings but their goods in lieu of capital which the involuntary emigrants might wish to take with them abroad. He added that he had information to the effect that this was the view of our Department of State and in consequence he was sure that we would support him in opposition to any suggestion on the part of the Germans that they would furnish machinery, tools or other manufactured products as their contribution to the resettlement of persons obliged to leave the Reich. Both Winterton and Berenger cautioned that it was essential, if the negotiations with Germany were to succeed, that absolute secrecy should be preserved and that no word should go to the press except through the Chairman.
- 3.
- It was agreed that while the negotiation with Germany was one portion of an essential part of the duties of the Director there was another and equally important part, namely the negotiations with the governments of the countries of settlement, notably the governments of Latin America. The consensus was that the Latin American governments almost without exception were holding back a waiting to see what they would be required to do in the solution of this problem. In fact it was felt that many of these governments were tightening up their immigration requirements in the belief that they could make a better trade when they were approached by the Director with a view to the reception of immigrants. The belief was that the Director would have to negotiate separately with each of these governments in [Page 761] order to arrive at something concrete. As a beginning, it was proposed that Makins and Pell should prepare a statement of the attitude of each of these countries as far as it was known so that the Director would have the information upon which to proceed immediately after his arrival.
- 4.
- As regards procedure, it was agreed that the Chairman and the four Vice Chairmen should meet with the Director at the Foreign Office on the afternoon of August 23rd, [Taylor.]
Johnson