Office of the Historian

548.G1/165b: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)

Washington, June 25, 1943—1 p.m.

3879. For the Ambassador’s information only. Your 3415, May 17 midnight, and 3657, May 27 midnight, and also aide-mémoire of May 11 left by Mr. Law in Department,59 regarding implementation of recommendations of Bermuda Refugee Conference.

1.
On June 18, with the approval of the Secretary, Mr. Myron C. Taylor met with Lord Halifax. Mr. Taylor outlined a plan for initial agreement between the American and British Governments involving the following elements:
I.
Agreement between Britain and United States on place of temporary refuge.
II.
Agreement to bear expense jointly.
III.
Meeting of Intergovernmental Executive Committee in London to
1.
Appoint a full time Vice Director (American)?
2.
Appoint a full time Secretary(?)
IV.
Agreement that after arrival at place of temporary refuge United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration will maintain refugees until end of war when they may
A.
Return to their homes
B.
Be transferred to places of permanent residence
V.
British and American Embassies or Legations in the countries concerned would delegate each a representative to carry out the plans for transit and reception of refugees.
VI.
With these agreements the Director’s Office in London may contact all countries represented upon the Intergovernmental Committee to secure
A.
Offers to accept refugees
B.
Contributions to the fund for support of the office
C.
Contributions to the funds for transit of refugees and their maintenance in places of temporary refuge.
VII.
Under these conditions no meeting of full Intergovernmental Committee would be necessary at this time.
VIII.
Any change of authority by Intergovernmental Committee enlarging scope to include all refugees can be accomplished without Intergovernmental Committee full meeting by letters to be secured from representatives of government members in London.
2.
Mr. Taylor reported that Lord Halifax appeared to favor this plan and said that he would present it to London immediately.
Hull
  1. Aide-mémoire missing from Department files.↩