Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, The British Commonwealth, Western and Central Europe, Volume V

840.48 Refugees/9–346: Telegram

The United States Political Adviser for Austria (Erhardt) to the Secretary of State

secret

Vienna, September 3, 1946—7 p.m.
[Received September 3—2:15 p.m.]

1199. Re Warsaw’s 1291 August 23 to Dept⁶ and Prague’s 56 August 15 to Vienna⁷). Lack of unrestricted exit from United States zone Austria and shortage of adequate housing render imperative all practicable steps be taken to reduce influx of Jewish refugees to Vienna. Arrival at Vienna for past 10 days average 996 per day. These must be transferred to United States zone daily and held until they can be moved on into Germany. This double movement greatly increases transportation cost as well as fatigue to the women, children and aged among the refugees. It is understood that Czechoslovakian Government assisting in rail movement of majority of these refugees across Czechoslovakia to Bratislava whence the only egress is toward Vienna.

Between 1 and 27 August 22890 Polish Jews arrived in Vienna all of whom were subsequently moved to United States zone Austria. In the same period USFA received approximately 3500 Jewish refugees from Hungary and the East and it is explicit that influx of refugees from this source will continue. It must therefore be emphasized that a substantial decrease in the number of refugees arriving in Vienna from Poland is imperative and also that USFA authorities be advised in advance of arrival of refugees whenever possible.

In view of opinions of Bein which confirm other reports received here that Jewish people recently settled in Lower Silesia enjoy better living conditions and sense of security and do not therefore feel urgent need for haste in leaving Poland it is suggested (reurtel 1300 August 24 to Dept⁸) that you continue to urge Polish Govt the possibility of resettling in Silesia the Jews now fleeing central Poland or of establishing camps for them in that area where they can be assured some measure of security pending settlement of the general question by IRO.

Sent Warsaw as 22, repeated Department 1199, Berlin 90, Prague 59.

Erhardt

6. Not printed; it reported on a conversation between Ambassador Lane and Mr. William Bein, Director of the Joint Distribution Committee in Poland, wherein the latter indicated that the Jewish exodus was not organized but that the groups of refugees were formed naturally by a gradual gathering together of those determined to flee (840.48 Refugees/8–2346).
7. Repeated to the Department as telegram 1514, informing it that the Czechoslovak government had been requested to cooperate in the curtailment of the flow of Jewish refugees from Poland across Czechoslovakia (840.48 Refugees/8–1546).
8. This telegram reported on a talk which Mr. Lane had had with Colonel Wrzos, Mr. Bein also being present. Colonel Wrzos, recently appointed head of a government committee on rehabilitation of Jews, said he was not competent to deal with Jewish emigration through Czechoslovkia to the United States zone in Austria, since this problem lay outside Poland’s boundaries. He did feel, however, that most of the Jewish migration had subsided and that further anti-Semitic outbreaks in Poland need scarcely be feared. Mr. Lane also inferred from Wrzos’ remarks that the Polish government was not anxious to have more Jews settle in Silesia. (840.48 Refugees/8–2446)