800.4016 D.P./11–2945
The Secretary of War (Patterson) to the Secretary of State
Dear Mr. Secretary: I am extremely disturbed about the lack of planning or activity for resettlement of stateless and non-repatriable displaced persons who are now a United States Military responsibility in Germany and Austria.
With mass repatriation virtually completed, General McNarney17 still has about 500,000 displaced persons in the United States Zone, Germany, and General Clark18 about 250,000 in the United States Zone, Austria. It is not yet known how many of these 750,000 persons will be returned to their former countries by next spring. However, it is conservatively estimated that at least 350,000 (250,000 in the United States Zone, Germany and 100,000 in the United States Zone, Austria) must be classified as either stateless or non-repatriable.
Many of these persons were persecuted by the Nazis in a manner without parallel in history. Others were uprooted from their homes by forces beyond their control and are now unwilling to return because of changed conditions. Still others are of dubious loyalty to the United Nations but fear for their lives if forcibly returned to their countries. Whatever their background, the United States military authorities are charged with the responsibility of caring for these persons until they are resettled or moved out of areas of military responsibility. In view of the critical food, fuel, and housing shortage in Germany and Austria, as well as the tremendous problems being created by mass influx of Germans from eastern Europe, the War Department is very anxious that plans be made for temporary or permanent resettlement outside of Germany and Austria of the maximum number of stateless and non-repatriable persons.
The War Department has been assured by the State Department on numerous occasions in the past that it was the firm policy of this [Page 1209] Government to support the Intergovernmental Committee on Refugees in carrying out its functions of arranging for the resettlement of stateless and non-repatriable persons. However, there now appears to be considerable doubt whether the Committee will be able to do its job. I am advised that the British have made every effort to curtail the activities of the Committee, particularly by narrowing its terms of reference to include only juridically “stateless” persons, and even as to these persons the Committee has not reached the operating stage.
I feel strongly that drastic action must be taken if this Government is to fulfill its humanitarian obligations toward stateless and non-repatriable persons now within its jurisdiction. I was glad to learn that following General Eisenhower’s request for governmental action looking toward a broadening of the Committee’s functions, the State Department has made urgent diplomatic representations to the British to obtain reversal of their narrow interpretation of the terms of reference of the Committee. I would be interested to have your frank judgment as to the probability that the British will go along with this Government in actively supporting the Intergovernmental Committee. If British support may be expected, and I hope that it may, I would like to suggest that urgent consideration be given to strengthening United States representation on the Committee by providing a full time and adequate operating staff. On the other hand if, in your judgment, it is unlikely that reliance can be placed upon the Intergovernmental Committee in the near future to perform these tasks, then I believe that this Government should unilaterally undertake to make appropriate plans for resettlement of stateless and non-repatriable persons now in the United States zones of Germany and Austria.
I should appreciate advice from you with respect to this matter in order that the War Department may keep Generals McNarney and Clark informed of developments.
Sincerely yours,