840.48 Refugees/4517: Telegram
The Consul General at Algiers (Wiley) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 30—2:17 a.m.]
1662. For Lehman from Fryer. Dutch Consul Casablanca has made informal inquiry concerning use of Marechal Lyautey refugee center to house 1500 Dutch refugees for a period of 30 days.
These refugees are now in Spain. They would be despatched to Casablanca and held there pending Dutch-made arrangements for transportation. We view this project favorably if it will not conflict with Washington–London plans for housing stateless refugees. We assume Dutch will make formal inquiry in Washington and wish to assure you that we can assume all responsibility for taking care of these refugees if you are formally approached by the Dutch and if you approve. We assume that Dutch Government would reimburse the United States Government for expenditures made in its behalf. Should this be brought to your attention formally Dutch Government should advise you of measures it will take in Spain to screen refugees for security purposes in order that this information may be transmitted to G–2 section of HQ. We are advised by Dutch Consul that the French have approved this project. [Fryer.]