840.48 Refugees/3757: Telegram
The Ambassador in Mexico (Messersmith) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:50 p.m.]
382. Department’s 573, April 15, 6 p.m. regarding Polish refugees. Kelly and O’Donoghue have just returned from survey in Guanajuato in company with representatives Mexican Government and British and Polish Legations. O’Donoghue and Kelly report as follows: They found one large hacienda, Santa Rosa, which is in good condition and which, with certain amount of unavoidable reconstruction, would be capable of housing up to 1,000 persons. Hacienda is located 20 minutes from León, population over 100,000, with year round communication. This is the only property capable of being made ready in limited time available to receive large group of refugees. Rental would be 1,000 pesos monthly, payable 1 year in advance, and option has been given thereon up to May 14.
In view of urgent necessity to get work under way immediately and to conclude contracts for purchase of necessary equipment such as beds, blankets, et cetera, on the basis of 1,000 refugees, it is recommended $100,000 be made available immediately to the competent Polish authorities. It is understood the Polish Ambassador in Washington will make request for this amount.
Wiesiolowski, Counselor of the Polish Legation here, is ideally suited to handle the preliminary phases in connection with project but Embassy understands he is seriously handicapped by fact that despite repeated requests for assistance Polish Legation is presently staffed only by the Minister and himself. It is therefore practically impossible for Wiesiolowski to absent himself from the Capital for any [Page 292] length of time in order to complete arrangements for setting up camp at Santa Rosa. It is recommended that an assistant be assigned to Legation in Mexico as well as one other person experienced in handling large groups of refugees. It is further suggested that Polish Ambassador in Washington be advised of above and of existing emergency.
Complete report re Guanajuato survey will be forwarded by air mail.