857.0011/45: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Sweden (Sterling)
233. The President has now determined to send a transport to Petsamo for the purpose of evacuating stranded American citizens in northern Europe and for the purpose of bringing the Crown Princess of Norway and her family to the United States. Assurances have now been received from the German and British Governments that they will see that the vessel is safeguarded during its projected voyage.
Please obtain an interview with the Crown Princess as soon as possible and telegraph the Department whether she desires to come to the United States with her family on the transport. Telegraph the [Page 178] Department at the same time whether any transportation difficulty would be involved in evacuating the Norwegian Royal Family and American citizens by way of Petsamo.
Please telegraph the Department likewise your estimate as to the approximate number of American citizens in the Scandinavian area who would desire to be evacuated in this way.