840.48 Refugees/4901: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 25—4:48 a.m.]
8975. In connection with difficult problem of necessary limits to publicity in refugee matters Department may be interested in the following examples of complaints by certain organizations concerned with refugees against publicity demanded by other organizations concerned with refugees.
We have been supplied translation purporting to be communication December 18 from International Red Cross Geneva to London Red Cross delegates as follows:
“Have just dispatched to you detailed letter concerning action suggested by World Jewish Congress. Press releases that Breckinridge Long, Assistant Secretary of State, informed Foreign Affairs Committee of House of Representatives70a that United States Treasury were examining desirability first transfer to Switzerland of $250,000 for assistance to Jews on request of Jewish body New York to send funds to International Red Cross understood to contemplate purchase [Page 395] food supplies for relief of remnants Jews in Poland and Czechoslovakia. Although we appreciate that our efforts are recognized we consider this publicity regrettable as stated in letter of Malin to Haccius dated October 12. We feel that publicity to our efforts will compromise our slender chances to take action in Germany and occupied territories. Please inform Intergovernmental Committee pointing out that extreme discretion is essential in interest of beneficiaries for whom relief is envisaged.”
Intergovernmental Committee Vice Director Malin received letter dated December 22 from Easterman of World Jewish Congress London as follows:
“We are most surprised to read in today’s issue of Jewish Telegraphic Agency Bulletin a message from Washington to the effect that Mr. Breckinridge Long, United States Secretary of State, has disclosed to the House Foreign Affairs Committee the scheme for the distribution of relief in Europe through the International Red Cross Committee and the contribution of the British and American Governments of $4,000,000 each. Mr. Long evidently went so far as to disclose that $2,000,000 are to be contributed ‘by an unnamed American Jewish organization’. I enclose a copy of the JTA report; no doubt you have a copy of the Bulletin in your office.
It is difficult for us to understand how Mr. Long comes to make public the details of a scheme which it has been strongly impressed upon us must be maintained strictly confidential. It is equally difficult to understand the necessity impelling Mr. Long to make this public statement. We appreciated the necessity for maintaining this confidentiality and we have adhered most strictly to it. We have likewise impressed upon our executive in New York that it was the express desire of the various authorities concerned that no publicity whatever should be given to this scheme, or to the means of financing it. We have reason to believe that our executive in New York have also adhered strictly to the confidential nature of the whole matter.
We can only hope that this disclosure on the part of Mr. Long will not adversely affect the carrying out of this scheme of relief and that the International Red Cross Committee will not be placed in an embarrassing position by reason of his disclosure. We can well appreciate that there is a possibility that these consequences may ensue; if they do, this will be an unfortunate end to what would have been an important measure of bringing aid to thousands of suffering people in Europe and perhaps even saving their lives.
As the scheme has now been made public through the statement of Mr. Long there does not seem to be any reason why we should not now inform our members and constituents and for that matter the Jewish public in this country of the nature of the scheme and how it was proposed to carry it into effect. Before taking any steps in this direction, however, we shall be glad to have an opportunity of discussing the situation with you and I shall be glad to know when it will be convenient for you to do so.”
Enclosed with Easterman’s letter was extract from Jewish Telegraphic Agency item dated Washington, D.C., December 21 as follows:
“Mr. Breckinridge Long, Assistant Secretary of State, in the course of his testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, declared that the British and American Governments are ready to contribute $4,000,000 each to a $10,000,000 fund for the purchase of food to be dispatched to Jews in the ghettos of Poland and Czechoslovakia, it was revealed here by members of the Foreign Affairs Committee.
The food supplies they said are to be distributed through the International Red Cross. The balance of $2,000,000 will be contributed by an unnamed American Jewish organization.”
Any instructions by Department would be useful.