840.48 Refugees/3479: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)
6434. Your 6561, November 20, and 6943, December 8. From Myron Taylor for Sir Herbert Emerson. The general policy of the United States Government for the time being is that relief and refugee matters in the North African theater are subordinated to military control. The United States Government itself will see to it that relief is administered to the refugees interned in North Africa as well as to other elements of the population there in need of relief. The administration [Page 480] of relief, except for emergency relief conducted by the Army, will be in the hands of the new Director of Foreign Relief and Rehabilitation, Governor Lehman.47 The Governor proposes to send to North Africa in the near future a representative to investigate the relief needs of that area. Until that representative has had an opportunity to submit his report, it is not desired that representatives of non-official or private organizations be admitted except as their assistance may be required by the Army.
The release of persons from internment camps in North Africa is subject to the decision of the military authority in that area. The political problems arising out of the refugee situation and existing in that region will be considered by the military authorities and their civilian advisers.
Concerning the refugees now in Spain, it is considered impractical to send any of them into North Africa, and certainly none should be sent unless the movement is approved by General Eisenhower48 as well as by the local French authorities.
The children of refugees up to the age of 16 years are to be evacuated to the United States up to the maximum number agreed upon provided the consent of their parents is obtained. Adult refugees in Spain may be admitted to the United States if visas are approved by the regular procedure. Consideration of their cases will be expedited to the fullest extent possible.
Representatives of non-official or private American organizations may be admitted to Spain only with the consent of the Spanish Government and after the American Government has presented the request for the approval of the American Ambassador at Madrid and to American military authorities. [Taylor.]