Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1942, General; the British Commonwealth; the Far East, Volume I

840.48 Refugees/2924

Memorandum of Conversation, by Mr. Wittard F. Barber of the Division of the American Republics

[Washington,] May 23, 1942.

Minister Dennis¹⁴ called on Mr. Bonsal today to discuss several subjects, one of which was the question which had been raised with President Lescot by the Minister of Czechoslovakia, regarding the possibility of Czechoslovak political refugees receiving temporary haven in Haiti.

Mr. Bonsal informed the Minister that the Department did not have sufficient information on which to make a definite recommendation, and that, accordingly, the Department was not urging that Haiti open its doors to this kind of refugee migration. However, if Minister Dennis should obtain specific information from the representatives of the Czechoslovak Government as to the numbers and names of the individuals concerned, this Government would offer its cooperation and assistance in determining whether or not such individuals would be considered as acceptable immigrants.

14. Fernand Dennis, the Haitian Minister.