740.00115 European War/11–3044: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Caffery)
778. Your 738 November 30.8 You are authorized to extend financial assistance loans temporarily to all loyal and destitute American nationals in your district who are entitled to the protection of the United States and who would be eligible under the same criteria as applied by the Swiss under the Department’s instructions. You are further authorized to continue temporarily financial assistance loans to all American nationals who have been receiving such assistance from the Swiss provided that you believe the recipients are loyal and destitute and entitled to the protection of the United States. In considering who are entitled to the protection of the United States you should be guided by the provisions of the Foreign Service Regulations and by the Department’s airmail instruction of September 14, 19449 on citizenship.
Because Americans living in France never had an actual as distinguished from a constructive opportunity of repatriation and because denial of financial assistance would result in probable extreme hardship, you are authorized to extend financial assistance loans to American nationals who refused an offer of repatriation or who were denied loans by the Swiss on the ground of having refused such an offer, if such American nationals are otherwise qualified and you are convinced that they intend to return to the United States at the earliest opportunity. Each of them should be informed that the United States will not grant loans to any American national who hereafter refuses an actual offer of repatriation.
The Department approves and will do all in its power to facilitate the Embassy’s efforts to have financial assistance cases converted to special deposit cases. All applicants should endeavor to obtain funds from other sources or to become self-supporting.
In view of your statements regarding the great increase in the cost of living, the maximum monthly loan to an adult in France is increased to one hundred eighty dollars ($180). If cost of living in other districts of France is lower than in Paris, the maximum should be reduced proportionately. It is expected that whenever possible the actual sums advanced will be less than the permitted maxima and such advances should in no event be more than enough to provide for minimum essential needs.
American Aid Society’s representative has been in touch with War Relief Control Board regarding funds for continued operations of [Page 1225] Society. Definite arrangements have not as yet been completed but it seems probable that the Society will obtain sufficient funds here to finance its current operations.
American Red Cross at present carrying on no special operations in French areas returned to civilian administration. However, headquarters here consulting with Giblin in regard to possible assistance to French Red Cross in special projects which might include supplementary aid to Americans. Such projects would not preclude continued assistance by American Aid Society to indigent American nationals.
An allotment of funds for financial assistance will be made to you upon the receipt of the estimate requested by Department’s 594 December first.10 Similar estimates should be submitted by all American consular offices in France.
Swiss may continue to extend financial assistance in Lyon district temporarily. Elsewhere in France such assistance should be extended by you or by the American consular officer in whose district the American applicant resides.
Repeat to all American consular offices in France.