840.48 Refugees/1121: Telegram
The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 16—11:30 a.m.]
1441. From Rublee. At the meeting held at Winterton’s office this morning it was decided that two committees should be set up immediately [Page 875] with me as chairman. The first committee should consist of governmental financial experts representing the United States, the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, and possibly Sweden. The second should consist of prominent Jews representing the American, British, French and Dutch Jewish communities, to which might be added representatives of the church group who are more particularly interested in the fate of the non-Aryans. I am taking steps immediately to consult with the French and the Dutch. The British have designated Leith-Ross and it is very important that a qualified American should serve on the committee. You will know best who should be given this responsibility, although it occurred to me that Butterworth95 might be qualified to serve. It is also essential that some representative of American Jewry who has financial experience, should be selected to serve on the second committee. Possibly you would wish to get in touch with the President’s Advisory Committee and ask them to designate a representative who is now in Europe and would be prepared to take part in the discussions which must begin in the early part of next week.
Schacht impressed upon me the importance of reaching a decision as soon as possible in view of the uncertain situation in Germany. [Rublee.]
- William W. Butterworth, Jr., Second Secretary of Embassy in the United Kingdom.↩