740.00116 European War 1939/664: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom ( Winant ) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 8—11:46 p.m.]
6964. Following is draft declaration enclosed with Mr. Eden’s note mentioned in my telegram 6963, December 8, midnight.
[Page 68]“The attention of His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom, of the Soviet Government and of the United States Government has been drawn to reports from Europe which leave no room for doubt that the German authorities, not content with denying to persons of Jewish race in all the territories over which their barbarous rule has been extended, the most elementary human rights, are now carrying into effect Hitler’s oft repeated intention to exterminate the Jewish people in Europe. From all the countries Jews are being transported, irrespective of age and sex and in conditions of appalling horror and brutality, to Eastern Europe. In Poland, which has been made the principal Nazi slaughter house, the ghettos are being systematically emptied of all Jews except a few highly skilled workers required for war industries. None of those taken away are ever heard of again. The able-bodied are slowly worked to death in labor camps. The infirm are left to die of exposure and starvation or are deliberately massacred in mass executions.
His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom, the Soviet Government and the United States Government condemn in the strongest possible terms this bestial policy of cold-blooded extermination. They declare that such events can only strengthen the resolve of all freedom loving peoples to overthrow the barbarous Hitlerite tyranny. They reaffirm their solemn resolution to ensure, in common with the governments of the United Nations, that those responsible for these crimes shall not escape retribution, and to press on with the necessary practical measures to this end.”