867N.55/211: Telegram
The Consul General at Jerusalem (Wadsworth) to the Secretary of State
Jerusalem, October 17, 1940—2 p.m.
[Received October 18—2:05 a.m.]
[Received October 18—2:05 a.m.]
140. Referring to standing instructions to keep the Department informed regarding Palestine immigration policy and quotas I have the honor to report that the Chief Secretary last evening gave me informally the following information.
- 1.
- Approximately one month ago the High Commissioner urged on the Colonial Office that no quota be authorized for the current semester beginning October 1, primarily for the reason that the country’s economic situation precluded effective assimilation of further immigrants.
- 2.
- He has at the same time suggested postponement of such a decision pending receipt and study of the usual Jewish Agency recommendations in the matter.
- 3.
- In striking contrast to its past practice, however, the Agency submitted no recommendations, presumably because while recognizing the soundness of the Government’s position it preferred for reasons of Zionist politics to refrain from admitting it openly.
- 4.
- In the meantime reliable information was received that three shiploads of intending illegal immigrants from Rumania totaling perhaps 3000 persons were nearing Palestine waters and that five other ships carrying an approximately equal number were known to be quitting Rumania, not improbably with the connivance of Germany which wishes thus further to embarrass the British position here.
- 5.
- This information not only constituted added reason for announcing the proposed decision but raised also the serious problem of what should be done with such illegal immigrants.
- 6.
- It is now proposed to reship them to Mauritius, an added reason for such action being the danger that among them are Nazi agents.
- 7.
- Simultaneously arrangements are being made for the evacuating to Australia of some 2000 interned non-Jewish Germans and Italians.
Wadsworth