840.48 Refugees/3037: Telegram
The Minister in the Dominican Republic (Warren) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:41 p.m.]
382. Referring to my airgram number 50, August 27, 6 p.m., the Foreign Minister called me this morning to say that he had discussed with the President last night the latter’s plan to offer refuge to 3,500 refugee children now in France between the ages of 3 and 14 irrespective of nationality. The President will offer personally to defray the cost of transportation of the children to the Dominican Republic and will also pay from his personal funds for their housing; and care here under the most favorable conditions.
The Foreign Minister also informed me that at the request of President Trujillo the French Minister last night transmitted a personal message from Trujillo to Marshal Pétain offering refuge here to 3,500 refugee children and requesting Pétain’s approval and assistance. The Foreign Minister finally stated that he wished to assure me that this was a purely humanitarian and personal gesture on the part of the President who plans to finance the venture himself without assistance from outside sources. At this time no consideration is being given to the practical problems of selection, transportation housing and care of the children.