800.4016 DP/11–2945
The Acting Secretary of State to the Secretary of War (Patterson)
My Dear Mr. Secretary: I have received your letter of November 29, 1945 with reference to the status of planning or activity for the resettlement of stateless and non-repatriable displaced persons who are now a United States military responsibility in Germany and Austria.
The eventual disposition of these persons is a matter of constant concern to the Department of State, and is receiving every possible attention. As you have been previously advised, the Department has made strong representations to the British Government in efforts to secure the collaboration of that Government in the expansion of the activities of the Intergovernmental Committee. The position of the Intergovernmental Committee is that it cannot assume responsibility [Page 1220] in Germany and Austria for others than the juridically stateless during the period in which UNRRA has the responsibility for the care of displaced persons. Even as to the juridically stateless, responsibility is limited to preparation for resettlement. The British Government supports this position strongly on the ground that there should be no overlapping of functions by UNRRA and the Intergovernmental Committee.
The British Government particularly takes the position that the Intergovernmental Committee should not assume responsibility for persons such as Poles who possess a nationality or have the protection of a government, but who are unwilling to return to their country as this would constitute a formal acceptance of their nonrepatriability. Such action in the view of the British Government would tend to increase the numbers of nonrepatriables during a period in which it is agreed by both Governments that every possible effort should be made to repatriate as large numbers as possible.
In the view of this Government much can be said in support of the foregoing. On the other hand, it appears unrealistic to delay further recognition of the fact that there will inevitably remain considerable numbers for whom some other solution than repatriation will have to be found. Considering the necessity of continuing support for those whose repatriation cannot be achieved, it appears essential to this Government to initiate planning now looking toward the ultimate disposition of these persons, difficult as this may prove to be under existing circumstances.
The lack of available transport to remove such persons to other areas, the uncertainties as to the specific persons who should be removed, the political resistance to such removal on the part of their countries of origin, and the lack of opportunities of immigration to other areas in Western Europe and overseas suggest the unlikelihood that large numbers of such persons may soon be removed from Germany and Austria. However, a realistic appraisal of the problem suggests the possibility that as soon as communications are available between Germany, Austria, and other countries permitting the displaced persons involved to communicate with relatives and friends in other countries, many of the non-repatriables will be able within a few months, assuming also the availability of shipping, to find places of residence for themselves in other countries. There is also the possibility that the Intergovernmental Committee after the period of UNRRA responsibility is over will be able to arrange possibilities of immigration for groups of persons to countries of potential immigration both overseas and in Western Europe. This latter effort presents political difficulties in that potential countries of immigration [Page 1221] are unwilling at present to consider the admission of persons whose movement would not have the support of their countries of origin.
I can assure you that the Department of State will do everything within its power to secure the expansion of the activities of the Intergovernmental Committee and to find other ways and means of liquidating the problem. Specifically, it is anticipated that further negotiations with the British Government will be held early in the next year, and that the political situation will be clarified further at the next meeting of the Council of UNRRA. Whatever favorable results may attend these efforts, it must be expected that some of the non-repatriables at least will eventually have to be absorbed in the German economy because of the lack of immigration possibilities for them in other countries. I shall, of course, keep you currently informed on developments.
Sincerely yours,