840.48 Refugees/685: Telegram
The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
London, August 23, 1938—5 p.m.
[Received August 23—1:35 p.m.]
[Received August 23—1:35 p.m.]
807. From Myron Taylor and Rublee.
- 1.
- The meeting of the officers of the Intergovernmental Committee which was scheduled for today has been put off due (a), to the failure of Brazil to name its Vice Chairman;15 (b), to the inability of Senator Berenger or any other French representative to be present.
- 2.
- We have had no explanation of the decision of the French at the last minute not to attend this meeting. We have had, however, an intimation that the French have become concerned lest our activity which has to do with the emigration of persons still in Germany may thrust into the background the problem of the emigration of persons who have left Germany but who have not reached a place of final settlement. The latter category of persons is the special responsibility of the League Commission and it is more particularly the group which presents a problem to the French Government. We have had no formal confirmation that the French inability to attend today’s meeting may be explained in this fashion, but that this is the case has been indicated to us by Duncannon of the League Commission who of course is very close to the British Foreign Office.
- 3.
- This matter was discussed last night with Makins who without wishing to appear to speak officially indicated that it would be very useful if the Director and the League Commissioner could reach an agreement immediately that places of final settlement should be available pari passu to involuntary emigrants from Germany and Germans who have left Germany and are in a refugee status.
- 4.
- Makins added that he was sure that his Government would appreciate assurances of this nature from the Director to the High Commissioner, since it would facilitate the task of the British delegation at the Assembly meeting in September in arranging for the coordination of the League Commission and the Intergovernmental Committee. He said that the final plan for the reorganized League Commission had not so far reached the Foreign Office from the Secretary General of the League. The general outlines are known however and it may be said that (a), it will follow the recommendations made to the Council in May; (b), that there will be included in its terms of reference a provision to the effect that the new League Commissioner shall cooperate with the Director appointed by the Intergovernmental Committee; (c), that the League Commissioner shall negotiate in behalf of persons outside of Germany with countries of settlement and with private organizations; (d), that the new Commissioner shall be an Englishman (probably not Sir Neill Malcolm) and that the Commissioner’s office shall be situated in London. Makins concluded that he did not believe that the proposal for the reorganized League Commission would encounter any serious obstacles.
- 5.
- I might add that 10 days ago we suggested a postponement of the meeting of the officers until we had had an opportunity to meet Wilson.16 The British did not agree with this course until yesterday. [Taylor and Rublee.]
Johnson