840.48 Refugees/6088a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)
3953. From War Refugee Board for Riefler.27 We propose to approach the five principal neutrals in the way shown below regarding passage through the blockade, subject to appropriate safeguards, of additional food and clothing in quantities sufficient to meet added burdens on their resources so that reception by those countries of larger numbers of children and adult refugees from enemy oppression may be arranged. This is in furtherance of policy this Government to employ all available means to further the rescue of victims of enemy oppression in imminent danger of death which are consistent with successful prosecution of the war.
Portugal, Spain and Turkey. Assurances that arrangements would be made by the British and United States Governments to furnish the supplies required to meet the needs of refugees admitted to those countries, if latter adopt a more generous policy regarding the reception and maintenance of refugees.
Sweden and Switzerland. That every effort will be made toward arrangement for importation into those countries of whatever additional stocks of foodstuffs and clothing may be needed to meet requirements of refugees admitted into those countries. This is a renewal of assurances previously given by the British and United States Governments.
[Page 1045]So that the course of action outlined above may be inaugurated with the least delay possible kindly endeavor to procure the prompt concurrence of the appropriate British authorities thereto. [War Refugee Board.]
- Winfield W. Riefler, economist, Special Assistant to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom.↩