840.48 Refugees/6225: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
London, June 7, 1944—6
p.m.
[Received June 7—5:35 p.m.]
[Received June 7—5:35 p.m.]
4560. For Department and War Refugee Board. Foreign Office, after consultation with MEW, has sent Embassy following comments concerning War Refugee Board’s suggested approach to neutrals as given in Department’s 3953, May 18.
- 1.
- British are prepared to instruct their representatives in Spain, Portugal and Turkey to join with the United States representatives in giving assurances that if the country concerned adopts a more generous policy toward the reception and care of refugees, the provision of additional supplies will be arranged to meet needs of refugees. British prefer to use word “provision” in place of word “shipment” in as much as actual despatch in own ships may be rendered impossible by general shipping situation.
- 2.
- With respect to Sweden and Switzerland, British feel sure that both those countries are fully aware of our appreciation of their generous attitude toward refugees, and draw attention to the joint note sent the Swiss last January by our two Governments56 in which Swiss were assured that favorable consideration would be given requests for additional supplies to assist refugees. British also point out that in reply to an enquiry they made Sweden some time ago, they were assured that Sweden was ready to use her own resources to assist refugees. British would, however, be glad to join in renewed assurances and are instructing representatives in Stockholm and Bern to concert action with their American colleagues.
Winant