867N.01/10–3147
The Department of State to the British Embassy
Memorandum
The Department of State has received the British Embassy’s memorandum of October 31, 1947 concerning the clandestine movement of Jews from Austria into Italy and the reported misuse of former United States Army vehicles and equipment by the American Joint Distribution Committee and similar organizations.
Since receipt of the memorandum the Secretary of State has advised the British Ambassador by letter dated November 10, 19471 of the efforts of this government, including warnings to Jewish leaders, to stop this clandestine activity. In the meantime also, the General Assembly of the United Nations has taken positive action on the question of Palestine which, it is hoped, will bring an end to these movements. In the light of this development the Department will keep under advisement the question of any additional special border control measures which should be taken in the United States Zone of Austria.
The Department is advised that the incident involving the misuse of former Army vehicles and equipment reported to have taken place [Page 1300] at the boundary between United States and French Zones of Austria was immediately brought to the attention of responsible representatives of the American Joint Distribution Committee who happened to be in Vienna at the time. These officials stated that the vehicles in question were not operated by the organization, and took steps immediately to identify to responsible authorities in Austria and Italy all vehicles and personnel currently employed in the relief activities of the organization.
- Not printed.↩