Special Message to the Congress on U.S. Participation in the International Refugee Organization.

To the Congress of the United States of America:

I recommend that the Congress authorize the United States to participate as a member of the International Refugee Organization.

As an aftermath of the war, there are more than one million displaced persons remaining in Germany, Austria and Italy. Almost two-thirds of these are under United States care and control. The Allied military victory over the Axis Powers brought with it a practical and moral responsibility with reference to these victims of the Axis.

The General Assembly of the United Nations has considered the problem of these displaced persons carefully and at great length. At the first session in London, certain basic principles were established. It was agreed that this problem is international in scope and nature; that every effort should be made to facilitate the repatriation of displaced persons who desire to return to their homelands; that displaced persons who have valid objections to return should not be forced to do so, but should be cared for by an international agency until new homes can be found for them elsewhere. Between the January and October sessions of the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council made a detailed study of the entire problem and recommended the establishment of an International Refugee Organization which would provide an integrated and effective solution. At the meeting of the General Assembly in New York which ended in December, the draft constitution recommended by the Economic and Social Council was adopted. The United States representative to the United Nations, Senator Warren Austin, signed the constitution of the International Refugee Organization subject to subsequent approval by the Congress.

This constitution represents an earnest effort by the United Nations to solve one of the most poignant and difficult problems left in the wake of the war. The organization to be created will have no governmental powers. It can in no way alter the statutes of any of its members. It can obtain funds only by appropriations by the constitutional processes of its members. It will be solely a service organization to aid in the solution of a common problem. I am confident that with the full support of the United States, the International Refugee Organization will demonstrate the practical effectiveness of cooperation and understanding among nations. The participation of this Nation in the Organization was proposed in my Budget Message for the fiscal year 1948, and provision was made for the necessary funds within the proposed budget.

With respect to those displaced persons in our own areas of occupation, the United States Army has an excellent record of performance in a field which is not traditionally the responsibility of soldiers. The Army from the first recognized the need for making the maximum use of international civilian agencies, and has done so. With the forthcoming termination of the supply of civilian personnel from other organizations now used in the care and supply of displaced persons, I believe that it is of the utmost importance that the International Refugee Organization be established as soon as possible. It would indeed be serious if it were not in a position to begin operations on July 1, of this year.

It is not unreasonable that many of the other potential members of the International Refugee Organization should watch closely the attitude of the United States before making their own definite commitments. I feel sure that with the firm and prompt leadership of the United States, this organization will be in a position to function as an international body to perform an essentially international service.

HARRY S. TRUMAN