840.48/3232: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Germany (Kirk)
249. For Nicholson from Norman Davis:
“Situation here, due to tense feeling engendered by publication alleged persecutions in Poland, misappropriation funds sent to Poles for relatives and Vatican’s broadcast charging execution of priests and systematic exterminations, necessitates earliest possible clarification our position in order determine future course in relief activities in Poland. We must either be able give positive assurance to public that arrangement is working satisfactorily, explaining in detail how it functions, and secure definite assurances of necessary facilities to oversee completion program, or give public notice of withdrawal and reasons. Am hoping your visit to Poland will result in satisfactory understanding, but for your information and guidance, situation has reached stage where uncertain periodic visitation will no longer suffice. Unable secure release of shipments at Genoa and complete contemplated program unless our representative can be in Cracow to receive shipments and visit other centers when necessary observe distribution. Understand Hoover will shortly issue blast and publish correspondence if Germany continues refuse Polish Commission permission conduct Polish relief operations. Important clarify our position before this. Have Toz Society for Protection of Health Jewish Population and Warsaw Jewish Hospital been used in distribution medical aid and hospital supplies. Advised these agencies excellent. Naval appointment assured. Davis—Amcross 261”
For Kirk: Department desires this message to reach Nicholson as soon as possible. We understand he is to return to Berlin shortly. Not waiting for his return and having in mind the foregoing message intended for him and recent communications between him and Davis and having also in mind Department’s recent communications to you, we suggest that you present the situation again informally to the appropriate officer of the German Government and suggest a review of the entire situation and a speedy favorable decision. The publications referred to in the above message and various other charges that the Germans have taken drastic actions in occupied regions [Page 751] will find substantiation in the thought of the people of this country if the German Government takes the position that it will not allow any visitors to those regions and particularly representatives of relief organizations. Furthermore it will be impossible for the Red Cross to continue to request funds from the American people for the alleviation of suffering in those regions. We use the case of the Red Cross particularly because of the fact that it is founded in treaty with Germany and that under the treaty its agents have certain specified rights.
Unless some definite arrangement is conceded by the German Government to the American Red Cross and possibly to other organizations offering relief in the occupied regions it may be expected that the representatives of private agencies in the United States will make some explanation to the American people which may not react favorably upon German-American relations.