Office of the Historian

867N.01/8–2647: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State

secret
urgent
London, August 26, 1947—8 p. m.

4638. In absence of Bevin and Sargent,1 I talked with Makins,2 in charge of Foreign Office about contents of Deptel 3666, August 25,3 pointing out serious deterioration expected in British position and popularity in US if Jews are sent to Hamburg.

Makins said that insofar as temporary accommodation was concerned, Foreign Office and Colonial Office had thoroughly canvassed possibilities and had come to conclusion that no suitable accommodation was available in British possessions. He said that conditions in Gibraltar and Malta would be impossible if 4,000 persons were landed in these restricted communities. He added that there are good facilities at Hamburg for taking care of the Jews and in fact conditions are superior to any other that British could provide for long time in other British territory. He hoped that Jews could be persuaded to disembark quietly at Hamburg and said that all possible measures are being taken to see that they are handled as gently as possible.

Makins blamed the French for present situation, saying that although French Government had agreed that Jews could land at Port-de-Bouc, French had said that only those could be accepted who landed voluntarily, and that administratively French had broken down. He does not think that French can refuse to receive them in France from Hamburg as they are already committed to taking these people. French Cabinet decision on this point is awaited.

Makins added that Jews had been given choice of landing at Port-de-Bouc or of being sent to Hamburg “and they made their own choice”.

Makins then said that Bevin’s attitude was that he well understood opprobrium in US that would be attached to British if Jews were [Page 1142] landed in Germany, but Bevin felt that there was no alternative and England would have to bear this criticism.

Makins said that he would inform Bevin of our conversation of today and that he would let us know later Bevin’s reaction.

Douglas
  1. Sir Orme Sargent, Permanent Under-Secretary of State in the British Foreign Office.↩
  2. Roger M. Makins, Assistant Under-Secretary of State in the British Foreign Office. According to telegram 4590, August 24, 5 p. m., from London, in the absence of Messrs. Bevin and Sargent, Ambassador Douglas discussed the matter of the Exodus with Mr. Makins on August 22, after receipt of Department telegrams 3623, 3633, and 3634. He reported nothing of substance to the Department, indicating merely that a Foreign Office telegram already sent to the British Embassy would be furnished to the Department by that Embassy (867N.01/8–2447). It is possible that the message contained in telegram 3282 (see footnote 1, p. 1142), is the one referred to.↩
  3. Not printed.↩