Office of the Historian

The Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Secretary of State 60a

[Washington,] May 7, 1943.

Dear Mr. Secretary: At the meeting of the Combined Chiefs of Staff on April 30th the British Chiefs of Staff presented their views to the United States Chiefs of Staff regarding the removal of Axis refugees in Spain to North Africa. The British views are presented in C.C.S. 204, copy of which is attached hereto.61

At that time the United States Chiefs of Staff informed the British of the views which they had expressed to you in their letter of April 26th but agreed to reconsider their decision.

The matter was again considered by the Joint Chiefs of Staff at their meeting on May 4th and they decided to adhere to the views expressed in their previous letter to you. The British Chiefs of Staff have been so informed.

Sincerely yours,

For the Joint Chiefs of Staff:
William D. Leahy

Admiral, U.S. Navy Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy
  1. Copy of letter obtained from the Department of Defense.↩
  2. Not printed.↩