548.G1/37: Telegram
The Consul General at Hamilton (Beck) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:50 p.m.]
119. From preliminary conversations with Mr. Law it is apparent that the British will demand changes in the structure of the Intergovernmental Committee before they agree to its use in connection with refugee problems. He states the mandate of the committee originally applied to Germany and Austria and must be extended. The French delegate on the Executive Committee [omission] and felt some hesitancy about Argentina since it would be embarrassing for the Government to negotiate with that country about the shipping question. Finally Mr. Law feels that Sir Herbert Emerson, the present director, must be replaced since he is stated to be unable to adequately perform the many duties which would fall upon him. The Department’s comments upon the points involved will be appreciated.
It is my belief that any necessary changes in the membership of the Executive Committee should be accomplished by the committee as it is now constituted. This would also [be] true in the selection of a new director in the event that a change is considered necessary or advisable.
Above for Long from Dodds.
[Dr. Dodds’ opening address at the Bermuda Conference was delivered on April 19; for text of the address, see Department of State Bulletin, April 24, 1943, p. 351.]