Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1938, General, Volume I

840.48 Refugees/711: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Kennedy) to the Secretary of State

London, September 1, 1938—3 p.m.
[Received September 1—1:48 p.m.]

851. From Myron Taylor and Rublee.

1. The meeting of the officers with the Director of the Intergovernmental Committee took place last night. Afterwards the press was informed of the meeting and it was said that the problem had been reviewed in detail.

2. The Brazilian representative declined at the last minute to attend the meeting which took the form of a dinner followed by an informal discussion. The Brazilian Embassy in a formal note explained that Brazil was unable to assume any part of responsibility in this matter. In view of this attitude on Brazil’s part and in view of the failure of American and British diplomatic representatives at Rio to dissuade the Brazilian Government from adopting a course which is causing the Committee embarrassment, it was decided that Winterton as Chairman should approach the Brazilian Ambassador at London with a request that the Brazilian Government clarify its attitude and decide whether or not it intended to continue in the leadership of this work. It is becoming increasingly difficult for us to persuade the British and French to refrain from action which would bring the matter to a head in some public manner. For instance, the British suggested in advance of the meeting that a formal note should be sent to the Brazilian Embassy in behalf of the Committee referring to Brazil’s acceptance of the vice chairmanship and requesting to know whether, in view of the fact the Brazilian Government had now evidently decided not to assume the vice chairmanship, it would withdraw in order that another vice chairman might be elected. The French at the same time said that they had reason to believe that Calderon, the Peruvian Minister at Paris, would be willing to serve as vice chairman. We persuaded the British not to hurry the matter unduly and to arrange for a meeting between Winterton and the Brazilian Ambassador as a first step. We are afraid, however, that if this meeting is not successful, the British supported by the French will be disposed to take some action which will oblige Brazil to retire from the vice chairmanship.

3. The first business which was taken up last night was the matter of the statement from the participating governments indicating in concrete terms what each would be prepared to contribute towards a general solution of involuntary emigration. So far only two communications have reached the Chairman. The first is ours, which Brandt drafted. The second is the offer of the Dominican Government to receive a substantial number of involuntary immigrants. Winterton proposed that these two communications should be circulated to the other participating governments, with the request that they communicate to the Chairman immediately detailed statements of their respective positions. We took the ground that this would not produce the desired results, that if there was to be a circulation of further statements at least the British and French should each make a contribution and that in the last analysis it would be wiser at this point for the Director to enter upon informal contact with the individual government than for the Chairman to circulate further documentary material. After some discussion this course was approved.

4. The next point on the agenda was the question of an invitation to the Portuguese Government to adhere to the Committee. Winterton suggested that instructions be sent to the British Ambassador at Lisbon to sound out the Portuguese Government and if the reaction was favorable to issue an invitation in behalf of the Committee. It was hoped that the American representative at Lisbon would give the British Ambassador the necessary support.

5. The budget of the Director’s office was next discussed. It was agreed that a recommendation should be made to the participating governments that they should deposit their annual contribution on $50,000 basis the expenses would be budgeted on an annual basis totalling $40,000 with in addition a $10,000 surplus which might be used at the discretion of the Chairman.

6. We then made a report on our conversations with Ambassador Wilson with regard to the approach to Germany. Winterton, who had talked with Henderson²³ on the previous day, confirmed our impression that this was not an auspicious moment for Rublee to proceed to Berlin. It was agreed, however, that the meeting should recommend to the Governments of the United States, the United Kingdom and France, the Netherlands, that they should instruct their diplomatic representatives at Berlin to collaborate in reaching a decision as to when was the right moment for formal inquiry to be addressed to the German Government as to whether it would receive the Director and explore the situation of involuntary emigration with him. Winterton then gave us assurances that when this moment arrived Henderson would join with Wilson in the approach to the German Government.

7. Berenger then raised the financial question. He stressed the fact that this was the heart of the matter and that there should be an immediate clarification of the positions of the participating governments, notably of our Government, the British, the French and the Dutch, as to what was possible in a discussion of the financing of involuntary emigration from Germany, and what was not. He had previous to the meeting indicated to Pell that the French Government had definite ideas on the score, and it seemed desirable that the Director should, in the interim, before he proceeds to Berlin, contact the principal participating governments with regard to their attitude in respect of the financial position. Information has reached the French, which is confirmed by others, that Germany will make a proposal to Rublee which will have for its object an increase of German trade. The French are unwilling to contemplate a proposal of this kind but realize that the Committee would be placed in an awkward situation if it were obliged to turn down flatly a proposal from the German Government. Accordingly it is probable that the Director will have informal discussions with representatives of some of the principal participating governments with regard to the financial aspect of the problem, of course constantly bearing in mind our Government’s attitude. [Taylor and Rublee.]

Kennedy

23. Sir Nevile Henderson, British Ambassador in Germany.