340.1115A/58: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Bullitt) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 25—4:01 p.m.]
2164. Your 1049, September 24, 1 p.m. Orders have not been received by the Paris representative of the United States Lines to refuse to carry Latin Americans or other aliens on the Shawnee. The Shawnee therefore will sail tomorrow noon with approximately 350 passengers instead of the theoretical complement stated by you of 720. The Shawnee will leave behind approximately 100 prominent Latin Americans who now hold tickets, and will leave behind several hundred Americans who would be glad to sail on this vessel if they had the funds with which to purchase high priced tickets.
It is difficult for me to believe that the Act of Congress in question was intended to forbid the removal of citizens of other countries. (A service for which they would pay in full) if their removal could be made incidental to the removal of Americans.
The office of the United States Lines in Bordeaux has just telephoned to us that it anticipates serious rioting when the Latin Americans who hold tickets are refused permission to board the Shawnee.
I do not misunderstand or misapprehend. I disagree.