BAS London this telegram must be closely paraphrased be Dated December 27 1941 for being communicated to anyone. (B) Rec'd 2 a.m.; 28th Secretary of State, Washington. 6234, December 27, 7 a.m. (SECTION EIGHT) (3) Alien's policy. The initial policy (in which the EXECUTIVE had no part) was to impose on enemy aliens restrictions graduated accoding to their estimated potential danger. In the period of extreme emergency, however, after Dunkirk with invasion an immediate possibility, the Executive advised a policy of general internment always with the intention that the internees should be sifted on their individual merits in accordance with principles yet to be devised. These principles were worked out in consultation with the executive and became the "categories of release" under which the great majority of the internees were released, some unconditionally, some subject to restrictions. As the danger has become less immediate, it has been possible to adopt a more liberal policy based on principles carefully worked out in the light of accumulated intelligence. |