840.48 Refugees/5903b: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Harrison)
1498. From War Refugee Board. Please deliver the following to the Intercross:
“The Intercross is requested by the War Refugee Board and American agencies interested in refugees to approach the German and satellite governments with a view to obtaining for Jews and other persons detained, interned, or otherwise confined, because of race, religion or political belief, (1) treatment comparable to that accorded civilian internees to whom is presently applied by analogy the Geneva Convention or, (2) treatment of such persons comparable at least to the extent that under Intercross supervision, distribution and reception of food packages under guarantee similar to those now in practice with [Page 1040] respect to civilian internees referred to in (1) above, be granted to them. In connection with foregoing War Refugee Board feels strongly that (1) is preferable and suggests that only if, in the judgment of the Red Cross, (1) is unobtainable should (2) be presented. A further request of the Intercross is made by the Board that it secure opportunities and facilities to obtain food and other necessities, as may prove possible for Jews and other subjects of Nazi oppression (who have been singled out as victims of persecution though not actually interned), on a basis of equality with the local population in the communities in which they live both from local or domestic sources of supply and Intercross channels.
It is also desired by the Board to call the attention of the Intercross to the Board’s efforts to rescue Jews and other persons who are victims of persecution from occupied areas in as large numbers as possible. The Board urges that through considered approaches to German and other authorities of occupied areas and through any other means that are possible, the Intercross do everything possible to facilitate the departure to neutral countries which may receive the refugees in question. The Board is keenly appreciative of the humanitarian activities engaged in by the Intercross and is cognizant of the continuing efforts of the Intercross to effectuate the general program outlined in the foregoing. The War Refugee Board is ready, in every way possible, to collaborate with the Intercross.”
Following from the War Refugee Board for Minister Harrison:
“In the achievement of its objectives the Board considers the foregoing suggested approaches, on the part, of the Intercross, to German and satellite authorities of utmost importance. Having in mind the recent military developments and including the changing situation in Bulgaria, Rumania and Hungary, the conclusion has been reached by the Board that now efforts should be concentrated on persuading the Germans to improve the situation of Jews and other persecuted groups in enemy-occupied territories. Accordingly, you are requested to support in every way possible the proposals to Intercross contained in this message. You are authorized, if at any time you believe that the Government of Switzerland would find it possible to associate itself with these approaches to the Germans or otherwise to assist in this general program, to informally suggest to the Swiss Government that it take such action.”16
The above is WRB No. 10. [War Refugee Board.]
- In its negative reply, the Red Cross maintained that any efforts on its part along the lines proposed would go far beyond the limits of its “traditional capacity” and would lay it open to the objection that it was intruding upon internal concerns of state.↩