840.48 Refugees/4426: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)
5494. Reference Department’s 5358, September 2, 1943 the following telegram has been received from Lisbon quoting Tittmann’s 169, August 30:
“De la Sem (a Jewish agency in Italy) reports Italian Government prepared to provide steamships Vulcania, Saturnia, Duilio and Giulio Cesare which are capable of transporting approximately 30,000 Jews from Italy to North Africa in three voyages. Expenses would be $5500 per day while under navigating plus insurance, fuel, lubricants and food to be borne by Jewish organization in the United States. Fuel and lubricants to be furnished by British Government [Page 349] against reimbursements. Color and personnel of ships which recently returned from East Africa with Italian repatriates have already been agreed upon by British and American Governments. Early action should be taken while ships are still in condition to accommodate, refugees.”
The Department desires to commend the above to the appropriate consideration of the Intergovernmental Refugee Committee.