840.48 Refugees/4192: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Mexico (Messersmith)
1410. Your A–1916, August 19. Have today heard from Karachi that preparation is being made to send on transport to be in vicinity early in September 387 orphan children between ages 4 and 15, 39 capable adult escorts of whom 30 are teachers. In addition, there will be 60 adults which Navy will use for scullery and special duties, a doctor and approximately 8 nurses. There will be a Polish speaking person in charge of the entire group. As there are not more children in vicinity will send 250 additional adults, making total amount 750.
[Page 344]We are outlining necessary requirements for the selection of the 250 to enable them to fit more easily into the life at Santa Rosa. The Poles have been specifically advised, and our representative in Karachi has been cabled the following conditions which it is imperative that all adults selected for second group must accept: (1) Refugees will live in an especially arranged Polish colony which provides only basic necessities; (2) They will not be free to move from the colony to other parts of Mexico or to proceed to other parts of the Western Hemisphere; (3) They will not be able to secure employment in Mexico or carry on business enterprises; (4) Adults will be able to work only within the colony on necessary operational and agricultural work incident to the maintenance of the colony itself; (5) All Polish refugees will be repatriated to Poland at the conclusion of the war.
As soon as the Navy gives us more definite dates, we will communicate with you, but you can proceed with plans on the assumption that this group will arrive in León the latter part of October.