840.48 Refugees/4911
Memorandum by the Chief of the Visa Division (Travers)
Mr. Hayter, of the British Embassy, called upon me on December 16th and I told him of the telegrams which we have exchanged with Turkey66 and also efforts to cause the Rumanians to permit the Jews who had been deported to Trans-Dniestria to be returned to Rumania and thus not be caught between the German and Rumanian armies. I mentioned that this had been tentatively agreed to but the Germans had become aware of it and had stopped the movement after four thousand had been approved. I also told him that we were sending a further telegram to Turkey67 on the matter. I was emphatic that we had had no direct dealings with the Rumanians and that these arrangements were made some time ago.
Concerning any approach to Russia, I said that we certainly had no objections to the British Government approaching the Soviet Government and that we would be prepared to join in such an approach but I personally was in some doubt as to the advisability of it.