Following for Robertson from Riddell, Begins: Reference previous correspondence, immigration inspection of displaced persons in Germany.

2. Difficulty has arisen concerning displaced persons in Germany for whom application has been made by their relatives in Canada but who do not come within the mandate of the IGCR. The people concerned are not, repeat not, German nationals but are of German ethnic origin (i.e. "Volksdeutsche"). They are excluded from the IGCR mandate in view of the provision in the IRO Constitution placing persons of German ethnic origin outside the concern of that organization (Annex 1, Part ll, paragraph 4). The IGCR has accepted the IRO definitions in interpreting their own mandate in order to avoid confusion. Specifically, the groups concerned include Sudetens, Balts, German-speaking Poles and Russians who were displaced during or. before the war. As they are not enemy aliens they are not debarred from admission to Canada provided they can prove they were not collaborators.

3. Many of these persons have relatives in Canada who have filed applications for them, although the figures for such applications are not available. However, Immigration has removed them from their approved lists for inspection until it can be shown that there is some method by which they could be brought to Canada. Meanwhile, the relatives in Canada have been advised by Immigration that their applications have not been approved as the persons concerned are outside the IGCR mandate.¹⁸

4. The central problem is the question of assembling these people for inspection, getting them to the port of embarkation and arranging their onward transportation to Canada. Even though these people are outside the IGCR mandate, the IGCR might be ready to help assemble them and move them to the port (e.g. Hamburg or Rotterdam) provided they could recover the expenses from the relatives in Canada. It might then be possible for the relatives to arrange for prepaid ocean transportation through the C.P.R.¹⁹ or C.N.R.²⁰ Colonization Services if the IGCR did not feel they could further assist these people.

5. While the above suggestions may not be the only possibilities, I wonder if this problem might be discussed with the IGCR in London, particularly Innes. It should be emphasized that the people we have in mind are not Germans or enemy aliens. These latter are inadmissible to Canada. Persons who are shown to be collaborators would, of course, also he screened out. The problem concerns only those D.P.'s who do not under the IGCR mandate by reason of their belonging to a German-speaking minority, but who are otherwise admissible to Canada.

6. We understand from Colley, the Canadian representative of the IGCR, that he has already brought this matter to Innes' attention on his own initiative. Colley appears to believe that it may be possible for the IGCR to assist in assembling these people for inspection and moving them to the port of embarkation provided they can recover the costs. However, in discussing this matter with Innes, I would not refer to Colley's opinions as these were given in an informal non-official manner.

7. It might also be possible to discuss this matter with the representatives in London of the C.P.R. and C.N.R. Colonization Services. they may he able to undertake arranging the ocean passage to Canada of these people on a prepaid basis.

8. If arrangements can be made to assemble and transport these people, Immigration will replace them on their approved lists for inspection. It does not seem reasonable that they should lose their opportunity to come to Canada merely because they are outside the IGCR mandate.

9. Please send copy of this telegram to Berlin by bag. Ends.

¹⁸Note marginale :/Marginal note:
April 9 Mr. Congdon advised me letters to relatives had NOT mentioned IGCR mandate. H.H. garter
Pour Congdon, voir le document 208, note 14.
For Congdon, see Document 208,14.

¹⁹Canadian Pacific Railway.

²⁰Canadian National Railways.