868.51 Refugee Settlement Commission/111
The British Chargé (Chilton) to the Secretary of State
Sir: In the note which you were so good as to address to me on the 31st of March last, regarding the question of relief for Greek and other refugees in the near East, the contents of which I did not fail to communicate to His Majesty’s Government, you stated that the American Red Cross would terminate its relief work in that area on the 30th ultimo but that, if a constructive plan could be worked out for the solution of this problem, the American relief agencies would be ready to cooperate even after that date. You also suggested that with a view to the adoption of co-ordinated action to liquidate this question an early exchange of views between His Majesty’s Government and the United States Government would be desirable.
Under instructions from my Government, I have the honour to inform you that the whole problem was recently the subject of earnest consideration by a committee of the League of Nations, and that a constructive plan has now been evolved to deal with the situation. Firstly, it was held to be without question that the Greek Government could not support the number of people who are now in need of relief for even a short time, without results that will amount to financial and economic ruin. Further, there is good ground for apprehension that these disastrous financial and economic results might be followed by internal disturbances which would be gravely detrimental not only to the Greek State but also to the general Balkan situation.
As regards the financial aspects of the problem, the discussions of the Greek Loan Sub-Committee of the Council of the League have been valuable and fruitful. A scheme, prepared and unanimously agreed to by the three members of the Financial Committee (M. Janssen, M. Parmentier and M. Bianchini), Dr. Nansen and the Greek representative, was unanimously adopted by the Sub-Committee. It is hoped that with the help of this scheme, and of the conditional promise of League association in it, the Greek Government will be able to float a loan of from three to six million pounds sterling. If it succeeded it would secure the effective settlement of the refugees in ways that would make them self-supporting in a short time, and would do so without the assistance of the guarantee of other governments for the loan. The settlement would be directed by a Commission appointed by the Greek Government and the League, with an American Chairman. The Council adopted this [Page 358] scheme on July 5, and decided to transmit it to the Greek Government upon whom responsibility for the execution of the first steps will lie. It will be observed that among the first conditions are the underwriting of not less than £1 million by Greek houses, and the free grant of at least 500,000 hectares of land. It is understood that M. Venizelos has expressed complete satisfaction with the scheme and it is hoped that the active support of the Greek Government and bankers will be assured. M. Caclamanos38 has also officially accepted it on behalf of the Greek Government.
Further, I understand that Colonel Logan who replaced Mr. Dolbeare, the United States adviser who attended the first meetings of the Financial Committee of the League, showed every desire to co-operate with the Financial Committee and the Council, and that at a meeting of the Council Sub-Committee Colonel Logan made the following declaration:—
“I am authorised to state that the American Government cannot urge in too strong a language the immediate urgency of the problem involved, and that the American relief agencies which have been feeding over one half million people daily for a period of eight months and at a tremendous cost are approaching the end of their resources. They have been forced to give notice that they can no longer go on at the present rate, but that the burden which they have now been bearing for so long must be shared by others. It is imperative in the interests of the half million or more people who are concerned that some general plan be worked out immediately. Should such a plan prove possible it is understood that the American relief agencies would be ready to co-operate.”
In order to make the situation quite clear to you, I have the honour to transmit herewith a memorandum setting forth the details of the plan which has been recommended.39 I would point out that the sums mentioned in it will probably not be sufficient for the purpose unless they are supplemented by charitable assistance on a large scale by the American and other societies. On the other hand, as the plan is both productive and constructive and in view of the magnificent work performed by the American relief societies in the past and of the assurance given by Colonel Logan which I have quoted above, I feel confident that the plan will meet with a favourable response on the part of the American Relief Agencies.
In acquainting you with the above proposals to deal with the existing relief emergency in the Near East I have the honour to express the hope that you will see your way to use your influence with the [Page 359] American relief societies interested in order that they may continue their assistance by co-operating in the execution of these proposals. His Majesty’s Government also trust that through your kind intermediary it may be possible to instruct the American representative on the small relief committee, which forms part of the new proposals, to afford every possible assistance with a view to securing such co-operation on the part of the American relief societies.
I have [etc.]