Office of the Historian

840.48 Refugees/4492: Telegram

The Ambassador in Spain (Hayes) to the Secretary of State

Madrid, September 20, 1943—5 p.m.
[Received September 22—11 a.m.]

2674. My 2463, September 7, 4 p.m. Memorandum mentioned in London’s telegram September 3, 8 p.m., has just been received and I offer following observations:

1.
As indicated in my 2275 of August 24, 1 p.m.29 total number of refugees without nationality and of former enemy nationality now in Spain who would be eligible for evacuation as planned probably does not exceed vicinity of 1500, which fact would appear to greatly narrow latitude of selection and render superfluous formation of special intergovernmental selection committee.
[2.]
I recommend instead, and British Embassy concurs, the list of prospective evacuees be prepared by David Blicken’s staff, Madrid representative of American charitable organizations, whose office is only agency here in possession of required information concerning such refugees, and that lists then be submitted to American and British Embassies, and if considered desirable Military Attachés, for security check.
3.
Recommendations of interested organizations as to criteria for priority of selection could be communicated to Blicken staff for his guidance if considered necessary. Foreign Office London has already suggested to British Embassy here that special consideration be given to those refugees who have valid permits to enter other countries, those who can assist in camp construction and those with special humanitarian claims.
4.
I have as yet made no formal approach to Spanish Government in this matter but feel that it should be fully informed of plan before concrete steps are taken here.

Repeated to London, Algiers for Murphy and Lisbon by courier.

Hayes
  1. Not printed.↩