840.48 Refugees/4096: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)97
7442. We are glad to state that we have just received a telegram dated November 13 from the American Embassy at Moscow98 advising that the Embassy is in receipt of a note dated November 11 from the Soviet Foreign Office stating that the proposed text for the joint declaration concerning the repatriation of refugees as modified (see the Department’s 4779, August 7, 10 p.m. and 6549, October 20, midnight to you99) is considered acceptable by the Soviet Government. Please immediately inform the British Government which we assume will take prompt steps to place the proposed joint declaration before the other United Nations Governments concerned and ask for their adherence thereto.
In order that there will be no misunderstanding as to the wording of the declaration as now accepted by this and the British and Soviet Governments, it is repeated as follows:
“The Belgian, Czechoslovak, Greek, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norwegian, Polish, Soviet, United Kingdom, United States and Yugoslav Governments and the French Committee of National Liberation recognize with gratitude the humanitarian contributions made toward the solution of the refugee problem by those neutral states which accept and preserve those people fortunate enough to escape across the borders from areas where their lives and liberty are in danger on account of their race, religion or their political beliefs. They understand that this action often increases the difficulties already caused by [Page 225] the war within these states. These burdens may, of course, be borne under emergency conditions and for limited periods. It cannot be expected that these countries, some of which are already overcrowded, should maintain these people for an indefinite period.
The above-mentioned Governments and the French Committee of National Liberation hereby declare that they will, at the termination of this war, admit to their territories all of their nationals who may have been displaced by the war into other countries. They further declare that it is part of their settled policy to ensure such conditions in the enemy countries and the countries under enemy occupation as will permit the return thereto of all persons, of whatever nationality, displaced therefrom and who have sought refuge in other countries, because of persecution on account of their race or their religious or political beliefs.”
We understand that the conferees at Bermuda in suggesting this declaration thought that it might well be limited to apply to Europe and therefore drafted it for joint issuance by the European Governments named, members of the United Nations, plus the United States, following the joint statement which was made last year (see Department’s press release of December 16 [17], 1942, no. 5891) condemning Nazi treatment of the Jews in Europe. We have concurred in the thought, as we assume the British authorities also have done and we suggest that in agreement with them this statement is to be used in explaining to any of the other United Nations Governments who may inquire, why they have not been asked to join in the declaration.
- In despatch No. 12727, December 13, from the Ambassador in the United Kingdom, it was indicated that the Embassy sent a note similar to this telegram to the British Foreign Office on November 26. In the Foreign Office reply, dated December 10, a copy of which was enclosed with the despatch, the Foreign Office expressed agreement to the text of the joint declaration (as quoted in this telegram), and indicated they had communicated it to the other Allied Governments concerned (with exception of the Soviet Government). With reference to the last paragraph of this telegram, they expressed agreement to the interpretation of the application of the declaration to Europe and the explanation to be used if necessary with regard to the declaration. (840.48 Refugees/4893)↩
- Telegram No. 1939, not printed.↩
- With regard to latter telegram, see footnote 80, p. 215.↩
- Department of State Bulletin, December 19, 1942, p. 1009.↩