840.48 Refugees/9–1944: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 20—2:15 a.m.]
7774. For Pehle, WRB. ReEmtel 7473, September 11, 11 p.m. Following paragraph is paraphrase of substance of message from Intercross to Foreign Office via British Legation, Bern, in reply to inquiry as to possibility rescue Jews from Hungary.
Unfortunately events have partly overtaken questions raised by British Government. Emigration from Hungary to Rumania impossible and to Sweden and Switzerland most difficult. German Government does not agree to allow Jews to leave Hungary and cross Germany despite statement of Hungarian Government that it will permit Jews to migrate to countries prepared to accept them and particularly to Palestine. Committee is persevering in efforts to assist Hungarian Jews but is meeting greatest obstacles at present.
In communicating this discouraging information to Embassy Foreign Office states that it can probably be taken as advance negative reply to any joint Anglo-American approach regarding release of 2100 Jews whose departure from Hungary is held up due to German reluctance permit them reach Palestine. Foreign Office still awaiting views of United States Government on this specific issue.