840.48 Refugees/4697: Telegram
The Consul General at Algiers (Wiley) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 22—2:27 a.m.]
1811. From Murphy. Department’s 1889, October 15, 11 p.m. Department’s views concerning the conditions imposed by the French authorities with regard to the plan for temporary residence of refugees from Spain have been communicated to Massigli who has promised to review the situation in light of the Department’s observations and to give an early reply. Massigli fully understands our objection to the establishment of a refugee center organized as a concentration camp and equally wishes to avoid any adverse public criticism.
Information regarding the number of other enemy internees in Morocco was also requested.
With regards to paragraph 5 of the Department’s telegram under reference, the “second replacement center of the Atlantic base section at Fedhala” is the army designation for Camp Marshal Lyautey.
Information which has reached us from Spain through the Jewish Distribution Committee and other persons dealing with the refugee problem in Spain, however, indicates that the problem of providing temporary refuge in North Africa may have changed materially since the question was first discussed at the Bermuda Conference. We understand that the majority of the refugees are now at liberty in Spain, where they are being supported through the efforts of the J. D. C. and others, and evidence little desire to be removed further from their homelands. The progress of the war has apparently altered their situation and there seems little likelihood that they will be deported to Germany.
Under these circumstances, might it not be desirable before finally determining upon the size of the camp at Fedhala to endeavor to ascertain from the individuals in question how many would wish to proceed to French Morocco under the conditions of the Anglo-American plan? Estimates of the total number of refugees involved have already been reduced from 6,000 to 1,600 of whom a large number are said to have visas for Palestine and would probably wish to proceed direct from Spain or Portugal when conditions of travel permit. In other words, we consider it would be desirable before proceeding further with the scheme to ascertain exactly how many persons would wish to take advantage of the temporary asylum afforded them in French Morocco under the changed conditions in Spain.
Sent to Department, repeated to Madrid and London. [Murphy.]