862.4016/1801: Telegram
The Ambassador in Poland (Biddle) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 29—5:25 p.m.]
243. Supplementing my 242, October 29, noon, condition of Jewish refugees arriving via Silesian frontier is characterized as appalling by members of Jewish relief committee for refugees from Germany. Many of these are reported to have been forced to make the journey on foot; many are said to have been beaten and have arrived in miserable condition. Polish doctors and Red Cross nurses have been rushed to the frontier. For want of better accommodations Polish authorities have assigned refugees to quarters in the mines of the district. Joint relief committee aforementioned and Jewish joint distribution committee are also giving aid and the head of the former states that the Polish Government is rendering full assistance. All those whose documents are in order are permitted to proceed to the interior. It should be emphasized that only passports issued abroad are affected by the Polish decree cited in my telegram 242; documents issued here continue to be valid for entry into the country without special consular validation.
Repeated to Berlin and London for Rublee.