840.48 Refugees/2–2345: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Harrison)
819. The cable below to Harrison and McClelland from Department and War Refugee Board is WRB 416.
The following is text of memorandum of Executive Director of War Refugee Board which was unanimously approved at Board meeting February 20th:
| “Memorandum to: | Secretary Stettinius |
| Secretary Morgenthau50 | |
| Secretary Stimson51 |
Our best information indicates that, while the enemy has abandoned wholesale extermination of detainees, large numbers of the physically unfit are now in imminent danger of death due to starvation, exposure and deliberate neglect. The actual numbers are unknown and are believed to be changing daily.
Food, medicines and clothing must be distributed to such detainees at once if their lives are to be saved. They should be removed, if possible, to safety in Switzerland without unnecessary delay.
The International Red Cross is our only means of direct contact with the camps. Operations can best be conducted from Switzerland.
The War Refugee Board is requested to authorize its representative to obtain the necessary cooperation of the International Red Cross and the Swiss Government.
The War Refugee Board is further requested to approve that the necessary food, medicines and transportation equipment be made available to the International Red Cross by the Swiss Government against our promise of repayment or replenishment after the war. It is understood that private funds are available for the necessary financing.
(Signed) William O’Dwyer
Executive Director
| Approved: | (Signed) Joseph C. Grew Acting Secretary of State |
| (Signed) H. Morgenthau, Jr. Secretary of the Treasury |
|
| (Signed) Henry L. Stimson Secretary of War.” |
You will note that the program approved envisages (1) furnishing food and other relief through the International Red Cross to physically unfit unassimilated detainees who are within enemy-controlled territory, and (2) their removal by the International Red Cross to safety in Switzerland as soon as possible.
The Executive Director of the Board plans to go to Switzerland in the near future in connection with the foregoing program. In the meantime, you are requested to do the following immediately.
- 1.
- Explore the availability in Switzerland of food and other relief supplies as well as transportation equipment. Please advise the Board and Department at once whether relief trucks are permitted to move from Switzerland to German-controlled areas and return to Switzerland for reloading of supplies;
- 2.
- Approach Intercross with a view to obtaining their consent to deliver the relief supplies in enemy territory and to organize and effectuate the removal of detainees to Switzerland;
- 3.
- If Currie Mission concurs please approach the Swiss Government for the purpose of obtaining its consent (a) to make available to Intercross now the necessary supplies and equipment for the foregoing relief and evacuation program and (b) to admit all detainees who reach Swiss borders and house and maintain them under guard [Page 1138] until we are able to arrange for their evacuation to Allied territory. You may assure the Swiss that this Government will arrange for the replenishment from the outside of all supplies made available by the Swiss for this purpose and compensation for use of equipment.
Please report all developments to Department and Board.52