840.48 Refugees/4512: Telegram
The Ambassador in Spain (Hayes) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 28, 1943—5:06 p.m.]
2760. The following telegram has been sent to Algiers.
377, September 27, 10 a.m. (For Murphy.) Embassy has today been informed by Foreign Office that Spanish Government has granted authorization for direct evacuation of French refugees from Spain via Spanish ports and in French ships and, although certain details remain to be worked out, we are initiating arrangements for first convoy at once. Although no port is specifically mentioned by Foreign Office, we are assuming that Algeciras or Cadiz will be acceptable.
In so far as arrangements here are concerned, decisions regarding dates of departure will in all probability be determined primarily by availability of rail accommodations for transportation of refugees to port of embarkation and I should like to be informed as to how much advance notice is required by French and British authorities at Algiers for arrangement of necessary shipping facilities for each group.
Repeated to Department, London and by courier, Lisbon.