840.48 Refugees/4–945: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 9—2:32 p.m.]
2087. For Department and O’Dwyer of WRB from McClelland. On April 8 Musy who had just returned from his most recent trip to Germany called on me accompanied by Sternbuch with following information [Page 1144] and proposals: On April 3 or 4 Himmler, Schellenberg63 and another SS General named Gehring (whom Musy described as “head of German concentration camp system”) were called to a meeting by Hitler who had learned of SS negotiations to release certain categories of “Schutzhaeftlinge”. Hitler was opposed to any such release particularly that of Jews.
Preparations were accordingly begun to evacuate fifteen major concentration camps on foot toward Nazi “Reduit” in south.
Nevertheless Himmler and Schellenberg declared themselves willing to preserve status quo in these camps and prevent evacuation on condition that they receive assurance from American and British that all SS guards and administrative personnel found in such camps when American or British forces arrive will be treated as soldiers and prisoners of war. This condition was motivated by fear that all such SS guards would be immediately shot.
I told Musy that to best of my knowledge it is not practice of American or British Armies to shoot anyone in uniform of unit regularly incorporated in German armed forces who properly surrendered without resisting.
I requested Musy to provide information as soon as possible as to the exact geographic location of these fifteen camps.
Musy declared that he must have an answer by 7 p.m. April 11 at latest if evacuation these camps is to be avoided.
In the light of earlier proposals made by the Nazis it is difficult to understand the present which is apparently of such small advantage to them.
Please inform me of what action if any you wish me to take.64 [McClelland.]