867N.01/8–2247: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom
us urgent
niact
3633. For Ambassador. Deptel 3623 of Aug 22. We have just been informed informally by British Emb that Brit Govt finds itself unable to alter its plans and intends to return refugees from Exodus to Germany.1
Wide sections of the American public opinion are being aroused at reports that Brit intend to send Jewish refugees back to country in which Jews have suffered such savage persecution. Protests to-White House and Dept are piling up. If Brit persist in carrying out intentions much harm will undoubtedly be done to their position in US. Please therefore take up matter at once with Brit Govt at high level in a more formal manner than that suggested in telegram under ref. More in subsequent telegram.2
- In a memorandum of his conversation with the First Secretary of the British Embassy (Bromley) on August 22, the Assistant Chief of the Division of Near Eastern Affairs (Mattison) set forth the British position as being “literally true that they had no other place to take them that would not take time and considerable expense to prepare.” (.867 N.01/8–2247)↩
- Background data was provided to Ambassador Douglas in telegram 3634, August 22, 7 p. m. (867N.01/8–2247).↩