701.0023/26: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Peru (Norweb)

158. Your 156, February 15, noon.26 This Government will be able to provide transportation for and accommodation in the United States for the 70 undesirable Axis non-officials as well as the 186 Axis nationals mentioned in the third substantive paragraph of your 138, February 11, 8 p.m.26

For reasons of national security all non-official persons will be maintained in protective custody in the United States pending an ultimate general exchange of non-official persons. The Department hopes that such an exchange can be arranged after the official exchange takes place. Because of lack of facilities this Government will find it necessary as a temporary measure to separate families. However, steps are being taken to provide adequate facilities in the near future to accommodate families as a unit.

Welles
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