852.48/1477: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Spain (Hayes)
777. Your 804, April 2, 10 p.m.39 Concerning the conversation mentioned between a member of the British Embassy and Assistant Secretary Long, for your confidential information there is quoted below paraphrase of memorandum of that conversation held on March 24.
“The urgency of the refugee problem in Spain was presented to me by Sir Ronald Campbell,40 who wanted immediate action for the evacuation of all refugees from Spain and the establishment of an internment camp in North Africa in which to put them. My reply was that that suggestion could not be accepted; that it was not practical from the viewpoint of being feasible; nor was it possible from the political viewpoint. I stated that because of the political entity of French North Africa we would not be in a position to establish an internment camp there under conditions now existing.
“He felt there should be immediate action of an intergovernmental nature.
“He did not seem to be entirely advised as to the steps already being taken in this matter, with the exception that he knew the British Embassy in Madrid was being of assistance financially and otherwise. I brought to his attention the plans for evacuation of 1400 persons for which vessels were being provided by the British Government; that 160 had already been transferred; that on March 28 and April 2 there would be further repatriation; that refugees had been removed from Miranda; that our Embassy had been active and had made funds available, as had private individuals; that General Eisenhower had chosen persons he could use in Africa; and that by agreement with the British Government 1000 were going to Palestine. I told him that as of March 24 there were but 10,000 refugees, 7500 of whom were French, and that after the completion of the evacuations now planned there would be left but a few thousand who would not be in immediate danger and that the preliminary conference between the American and British Governments soon to be held41 would probably consider their welfare. I told him that we felt such matters should be taken up by that conference and recommendations made by it to the Intergovernmental Committee on Political Refugees.”