840.48 Refugees/9–644: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Harrison)
3074. The following for McClelland is WRB 159.
The Board has received unofficial reports that Intercross believes Theresienstadt a privileged camp and considers no action calculated to bring its inmates within scope of Intercross activity to be necessary.
However, it has also received repeated reports of recent deportations from Theresienstadt to extermination camps which, if true, indicate no security enjoyed by its inmates. Please so inform Intercross [Page 1148] which, in light of above, may have no knowledge thereof. Unless adequate precautions are taken the well known tendencies in certain German official circles to exterminate maximum number of Jews before end of war may make sudden deterioration of position of Jews in Theresienstadt and elsewhere likely. An expressed or tacit approval of reported Intercross position would mean moral responsibility for possible loss of human lives involved. Board is unable to assume this responsibility and it is convinced that bearing of such responsibility would be displeasing to Intercross.
Earnestly hoped by Board therefore that protective activities of Intercross will be extended to Theresienstadt inmates including distribution of Palestine certificates and other documents entitling them to partial assimilation with civilian internees, general Intercross supervision, eligibility for exchange, et cetera.
Please submit in diplomatic manner Board’s view to Intercross that in dealing with Jews in German controlled territory in the coming critical weeks attempts to correct unsatisfactory situations already in existence are insufficient and it’s opinion that it is urgent, in light of present circumstances, that all measures to deal with sudden deterioration be taken. Intercross is earnestly urged, therefore, to take preventive as well as corrective action, however much this may go beyond the traditional pattern of its program. This line of action may be unprecedented, but the situation is likewise.
Please discuss foregoing points with Huber92 personally, if possible.
- Max Huber, President of International Red Cross.↩