State Dept. Announces British-american Acceptance of Hungary’s Offer to Release Jews

The State Department today issued a formal announcement stating that the governments of the United States and of Britain have accepted the offer made by the Hungarian Government granting the Jews permission to emigrate from Hungary.

The announcement explained that the acceptance of this offer does not mean that the American or the British governments condone in any way Hungary’s action in forcing the emigration of Jews as an alternative to persecution and death. It disclosed that arrangements will be made for the care of such Jews leaving Hungary who reach neutral or United Nations territory. The text of the announcement reads:

“The International Committee of the Red Cross has communicated to the governments of the United Kingdom and of the United States of America an officer of the Hungarian Government regarding the emigration and the treatment of Jews.

“Because of the desperate plight of the Jews in Hungary and the overwhelming humanitarian considerations involved, the two governments are informing the Government of Hungary through the International Committee of the Red Cross that despite the heavy difficulties and responsibilities involved, they have accepted the offer of the Hungarian Government for the release of Jews and will make arrangements for the care of such Jews leaving Hungary who reach neutral or United Nations territory, and also that they will find temporary havens of refuge where such people may live in safety.

“Notification of these assurances is being given to the governments of neutral countries who are being requested to permit the entry of Jews who reach their frontiers from Hungary.

“The governments of the United Kingdom and of the United States emphasize that in accepting the offer which has been made, they do not in any way condone the action of the Hungarian Government in forcing the emigration of Jews as an alternative to persecution and death.”