840.48 Refugees/4136: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Mexico (Messersmith)

1325. From Lehman. Reference you’re A–1811, August 7, 11 a.m.15 Wiesiolowski, Counselor Polish Legation Mexico, Szmejko, sent by [Page 342] Minister Social Welfare London to take over direction of camp,20 and Lepkowski, First Secretary Polish Embassy in Washington, have conferred with us at length with the following results:

(1)
Polish Government earnestly desires the second contingent of Poles, composed predominantly of children, to come to Mexico.
(2)
The Navy is giving favorable consideration to transportation of children, reserving right to determine appropriate number of accompanying adults. Group must be ready early in September if advantage is to be taken of next transport.
(3)
Wiesiolowski is going to New York, to return for further conference August 18. Will then go to Chicago to confer with Polish-American Council, possibly returning to Washington for final conference before proceeding to Mexico.
(4)
Szmejko will proceed to Mexico to take charge of camp as Wiesiolowski’s assistant within a week.
(5)
Decision on Alter21 is held in abeyance by Poles, pending consideration of another candidate.
(6)
An educational director, Sobota, is coming with Szmejko.
(7)
Poles are to assume administrative responsibility and Kelly to remain as advisor and consultant.
(8)
The problems of poor selection, cash allowances, and the growing of food have been thoroughly explored and will be discussed in a later dispatch. [Lehman.]

Hull
  1. Not printed.
  2. Polish refugee camp in Mexico.
  3. Leon Alter; the Polish Minister in Mexico had expressed the desire that the Polish Embassy send Alter, then in New York, to Mexico.