840.48 Refugees/4837: Telegram
The American Representative to the French Committee of National Liberation at Algiers (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 7—10:06 a.m.]
103. It was decided at a meeting held today between Beckelman, representatives French Commissariat of Foreign Affairs, office British Minister, Allied and French military security organizations and this office that it would be desirable for Beckelman, reference Department’s telegram no. 12, November 2655 and my 102 today,56 to proceed to Madrid at an early date to investigate the type of refugees to be evacuated to French North Africa and then return with an advance party of selected refugees who would assist him in organizing the camp at Fedhala to receive main body of refugees as soon as they are accepted and can be transported. Beckelman probably will stop off in Rabat en route to Madrid to discuss details with French Moroccan officials.
Discussion at meeting concerned chiefly form of document of identity [Page 384] that will be issued to accepted refugees before they leave Spain. It was tentatively agreed to use a modified form of document similar to that prescribed in the 1938 League of Nations Convention on Stateless Refugees57 which could be used as a travel document. However, the Intergovernmental Committee may have approved a new form of international certificate, in which event such form might be used.
In course of discussion French authorities emphasized that the Fedhala camp should be considered primarily as a transit site pending the employment of refugees in North Africa or their emigration to points elsewhere.
French authorities also raised question of medical examination of refugees prior to their departure from Spain. Beckelman will explore this question in connection with his plans for American and British personnel for the camp.
It was suggested that a joint French, British, American committee would be formed at Madrid and have charge of screening refugees prior to departure.
Aforementioned meeting took place prior to receipt of Department’s 64, December 4, 9 p.m. Paragraph 2 is construed as granting authority for Beckelman to proceed to Madrid provided Ambassador Hayes perceives no objection. In connection Department’s comment that it is very desirable that refugees should understand fully nature and conditions of center and accept before they leave Spain, it would be useful to Beckelman if he could be informed what plans (if any) have been developed to find ultimate destinations for refugees outside of North Africa, in particular, aged persons, children and those with disabilities which would interfere with or prevent their finding gainful occupations.
Sent to Department, repeated Madrid, Rabat and London for Hoehler.