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  4. Document 526

840.50 UNRRA/5–1645

The Counselor of the British Embassy ( Marris ) to the Assistant Secretary of State ( Acheson )

Washington , May 16, 1945.

My Dear Dean: I seem to be kept pretty busy in my capacity as post office to you from Dick Law.32

I have just received a message from him for you about displaced persons which I attach to this note.33 It is self-explanatory.

I might add that, at the same time, I have had a personal telegram from Dick Law saying that he has discussed with Jackson34 the question of UNRRA’s relations with the military authorities about displaced persons in Germany. Jackson thinks it is essential that his hands should be strengthened by some statement by the United States and United Kingdom Governments that they regard it as a major interest of the two Governments that UNRRA should have the responsibility, under the ultimate control of the military authorities in Germany, for handling displaced persons in that part of the country within their mandate and that UNRRA should, therefore, receive the full support of and the facilities from the military which they will undoubtedly need. Dick Law fully endorses Jackson’s view and, as he states in his message to you, the Secretary of State [Page 1163] for War35 has sent instructions to the British representatives of the Combined Chiefs of Staff, asking them to try and get appropriate and immediate instructions issued by the Combined Chiefs of Staff to SCAEF.35a

I am instructed accordingly to take every step I can to ensure that the matter receives the speediest and most favourable consideration.

I shall, of course, discuss the matter with Macready36 and, if necessary, with Jack McCloy,37 but before doing the latter I would be grateful if you would let me know what your views are.

Yours sincerely,

Adam D. Marris
  1. Richard Law, British Minister of State.↩
  2. Not printed; the message expresses concern over the inability of UNRRA to provide on time the number of teams requested by SHAEF for displaced persons work in Germany (840.50 UNRRA/5–1645).↩
  3. Cmdr. R. G. A. Jackson, Senior Deputy Director General, UNRRA.↩
  4. Sir James Grigg.↩
  5. Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force.↩
  6. Lt. Gen. G. N. Macready, Head of the Army Delegation, British Joint Staff Mission in Washington.↩
  7. John J. McCloy, Assistant Secretary of War.↩