840.48 Refugees/991a: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Kennedy)
727. For Rublee. Department’s 720, November 23, 6 p.m.68 The substance of the replies so far received is as follows:
Argentina. Le Breton can attend the meeting. The Foreign Minister cites serious difficulties, principally economic, admits need for agricultural development but finds refugees congregate in cities.
Brazil. Lobo will take effective part in the meeting and will make a public statement along the lines suggested. He will be sent detailed instructions and may be authorized to make an additional confidential statement. Brazil has recently created a Council of Immigration and Colonization and the Embassy at Rio believes that its present policy is considerably more liberal concerning the admission of certain categories of Jewish refugees than has been the case in the past.
Colombia. Cano will be sent from Geneva to the meeting. The Foreign Minister states that in the last year 5,000 Jews have entered Colombia legally and from 3 to 5 thousand more illegally, that they are almost all merchants, that the trade of Colombia merchants has been seriously disturbed, and that more have already been admitted than is compatible with the best interests of the country. The President states that Colombia cannot possibly agree to accept any more.
Haiti. Will be represented and will accept as many immigrants as it can possibly take care of.
Mexico. Will be represented by Consul General at London and will cooperate to the extent of its ability in receiving refugees. The Foreign Minister does not wish Mexico to make any commitment until the meeting “has acted.”
Dominican Republic. The Foreign Minister states that his Government is in full agreement with our policy and will do its utmost to cooperate. Offer to take 50 to 100,000 still stands subject to reservation that immigrants must comply with Dominican regulations. The Legation is still dubious concerning this offer.
Peru. Will be represented by its Minister in London. The Government approves and will support our efforts. It is prepared to accept [Page 842] a limited number of refugees of three classes: agriculturists, certain specialists, and industrialists possessing capital. The Foreign Minister states that 176 visas have been granted to Jewish refugees in the last 4 months, that most of them had settled in Lima, and that it would be necessary to evolve a more comprehensive plan before the present quotas could be enlarged. Ambassador Steinhardt believes that Peru’s capacity of absorption is limited but that the Government is disposed to cooperate, that it will agree to accept a considerably larger number of Jewish refugees than the country could otherwise be expected to take if a substantial number are agriculturists and the others provided with capital to establish many non-existing industries which Peru really needs.
Uruguay. Will carefully consider our appeal. The Foreign Minister doubts that his Government can make a specific commitment but believes that refugees could be accepted by categories or occupations, particularly agriculturists.
Venezuela. Will be represented, will be prepared to make public statement of number it will accept and confidential statement of what it is prepared to do.
Ecuador. Will probably be represented.
Bolivia. Will be represented.
Cuba. The matter is being considered. Cuba has been admitting temporarily refugees in a precarious situation but the Ambassador believes that existing laws and regulations will be a controlling factor.
Costa Rica. The matter is under consideration but the reaction of the Foreign Minister was anything but favorable.
Honduras. Will be represented by the Consul General at London. The Minister is informed that the Government has approved a definite plan for the admission of not to exceed 1,000 refugees from Germany provided that they are adopted and prepared to engage exclusively in agriculture and have adequate assurance of support, probably $1,000 each.
All of these Governments will submit further information shortly.