840.48 Refugees/2151
The Chargé in the Dominican Republic (Hinkle) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 21.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to the Legation’s despatch no. 1227 of May 4, 1940, and to its telegram no. 73 of May 9, 1940,64 concerning the activities of the Dominican Republic Settlement Association.
The Legation has now been informed that the new activities of the Settlement Association which were outlined in the despatch under reference are being developed rapidly. The original plan of an agricultural settlement, while still considered of primary importance, is now being flanked by other refugee relief work which is assuming large proportions. The recently conceived scheme of bringing in temporary immigrants who have an income guaranteed by bank deposits has been changed slightly, due to difficulties in making the proper banking arrangements. Instead, the Settlement Association is accepting deposits at its New York office of approximately one thousand dollars per person per year, and with this money it is guaranteeing directly to the Dominican Government that temporary immigrants who come to the country under its auspices will not lack the necessary funds to live comfortably without employment. Under this system the Association has secured visas for about 75 persons, and it is expected [Page 228] that at least 100 temporary refugees will arrive in Ciudad Trujillo on the Neptunia, which is scheduled to sail from Genoa on May 24. Presumably, these persons will be applicants at this office for visas to enter the United States.
In addition to these temporary immigrants, the Neptunia is expected to bring about 150 permanent settlers, destined for the agricultural colony at Sosúa. This will be the second and much the larger contingent to arrive in Sosúa. An officer of the Legation had the opportunity of visiting Sosúa last week a few hours before the arrival of the first group of settlers. Although beds, rudimentary furniture, and refrigerators had been set up in preparation for the arrival, he was not particularly impressed by the foresight or administrative abilities which had been demonstrated in readying the place for the reception either of the first group or of those who are following so soon afterwards. Nevertheless, it is not felt that this lack of preparation is a serious matter, and it is expected that once the first group is established they will form a nucleus about which a more efficient organization can be built.
The Settlement Association is now investigating the possibilities of still another field for the absorption of refugees into the life of the Dominican Republic. As Dr. Rosen states, “Not all of the refugees who arrive here are going to be agriculturists,” so it is hoped that some persons can be given a start in founding new and non-competitive industries throughout the country. While such a project has many obvious advantages, both for the refugees and the Republic, the Legation feels that it will be necessary to proceed on this plan with the utmost caution. Strictly speaking, no new industry can be completely non-competitive with those already in existence, and every Dominican who feels he is being damaged by one of them is a potential enemy of all further plans for use of the Dominican Republic as a refugee haven. Refugees already in the country have formed numerous small businesses independently in Ciudad Trujillo which many Dominicans feel have been detrimental to themselves, so that an officially and openly conducted program such as that projected seems certain to breed a considerable amount of ill-will.
Respectfully yours,
- Latter not printed.↩