840.48 Refugees/4537: Telegram
The Consul General at Algiers (Wiley) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 4—1:59 a.m.]
1700. From Murphy. My 1632, September 23, 10 p.m.30 I have today received the French [reply] to the proposal for the establishment of temporary asylum for stateless refugees at Camp Marshal Lyautey. The Committee accepts the proposal which places the [Page 360] responsibility for housing, maintenance and transport of the refugees on the British and American Governments as the second replacement center of the Atlantic base section at Fedhala with the understanding the [that] not more than 2,000 individuals will be admitted at the same time into Morocco.
Certain additional conditions are imposed as follows:
- 1.
- Inasmuch as nationals of enemy states domiciled in Morocco and of mobilization age are interned, unless they have served in the Foreign Legion or have a relative in the Allied [garbled group] or have rendered exceptional services to France, it is difficult for the French authorities to afford more favorable treatment to other stateless individual or nationals of enemy powers just entering the territory. The Committee consequently considers that the refugees cannot be allowed to establish themselves outside of the camp or to accept work unless they come within the foregoing categories. In the case of those desirous of obtaining work, records must be communicated to the Residency General before authorization may be obtained.
- 2.
- Since the town of Fedhala is situated upon the coast and close to Casablanca, it may be considered necessary [for] security reasons to transfer the refugees to another locality. Should this be the case the Committee would give adequate notice to the American and British Governments who would be requested to assume expenses of any new installation.
- 3.
- Inasmuch as the French Government is responsible for the maintenance of order and security within the Protectorate, the French administration must exercise police control of the future reception center. This will be undertaken by the security services in Morocco who will assume charge of the surveillance of refugees in association with the personnel operating the camp. If the foregoing provisions should be acceptable to the American and British Governments the French committee is prepared to give the necessary instructions to the Resident General.
It appears that whereas the French consent to this proposal has finally [been] achieved the conditions establishing it are such that the French authorities will insist upon taking such security measures as they wish which will in fact prevent any large number of refugees from obtaining work locally.
Sent to Department, repeated to London and Madrid. [Murphy.]
- Not printed.↩