840.48 Refugees/4706: Telegram
The Ambassador in Spain (Hayes) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 26—2:35 p.m.]
3106. The following telegram has been sent to Algiers:
429, October 25, 10 p.m. For Murphy. Our 1811, October 21, 5 p.m., to Department. With reference to question raised by you of necessity or desirability of continuing arrangements for removal of stateless refugees from Spain in light of changed conditions here I should like to make following observations:
1. Despite fact that most of these refugees are now at liberty and being supported by American charitable organizations, there is no assurance that they will be allowed to remain at liberty if unable to leave Spain in very near future.
There are in fact signs of increasing annoyance on part of Spanish of their remaining so long in Spain, and it is considered by no means impossible, that many of them may be returned to internment or imprisonment if their stay is perforce prolonged.
2. It is believed that most of these persons would greatly prefer to go to North Africa rather than to remain in Spain if they could be assured of finding there a certain degree of freedom and the right to work. Not many, however, would be anxious merely to exchange a Spanish concentration camp for a French one.
3. Between five and six hundred out of estimated six to seven hundred refugees have Palestine visas but have so far been unable to proceed there. They would, of course, prefer to go directly to Palestine if transportation could be arranged in near future, but if not they would prefer to wait in North Africa if above-mentioned conditions are to obtain.
Repeated to Department and London.