Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, General, Volume I

840.48 Refugees/6033a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Turkey (Steinhardt)

Washington, May 13, 1944—8 p.m.

425. The following is from the War Refugee Board and forms its cable no. 35.

The receipt is acknowledged of your April 22 no. 43 to War Refugee Board.¹⁷ Letter accordingly despatched to Turkish Ambassador requesting that his Government inform the German and other authorities in France that upon the assertion of a claim to Turkish nationality, the claimant is to be extended all the rights, privileges and immunities of a Turkish national, unless and until such authorities are advised by the Turkish Government that, after investigation, such claim has been rejected. It is further requested that adverse determinations of such claims by the Turkish Government be postponed until after the war has ended. The fact that this Government has taken a similar position relative to refugees within German-controlled areas claiming American citizenship has been communicated to the Ambassador.

It was further stated that if, pending investigation, the evacuation from German-controlled areas of claimants to Turkish nationality who may be in danger therein can be made possible by the Turkish Government, the Board will undertake to make available from American sources funds for their support and maintenance and will undertake further to find promptly havens outside Turkey for those evacuees whose Turkish nationality claims may be rejected by the Government of that country.¹⁸

Continuance of your efforts along same lines is requested.

It is understood that many Spanish nationals are interned in Greece for deportation therefrom. Similar action to that asked of Turkey is being urged on Spain, but your support of our action by urging Spanish Minister at Ankara who, we are advised, is handling the matter, is requested. Intercession with Spain is also being asked of the Vatican.

Hull

17. Telegram 732, not printed; it concerned deportation of 800 Jews from France who claimed Turkish nationality (840.48 Refugees/5790).
18. The Turkish Ambassador in Washington agreed to transmit the Board’s recommendation to Ankara, but the Turkish Minister for Foreign Affairs asserted that most of the Jews in France claiming Turkish nationality had little to substantiate their claims. The eventual liberation of France by Allied forces put an end to the dangers facing Jews of Turkish origin in that country.