340.1115A/657a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Harrison)
54. Your 38, May 16, 4 p.m. For your information and that of consulates in Switzerland, the Department has telegraphed Consulate Genoa on May 18 as follows:
“129, 18th. The Department is informed that the following cargo vessels will be in Genoa on approximately the dates mentioned and might be used for the purpose of evacuating American citizens:
- Exhibitor—American Export Lines; May 22.
- Scottsburg—Lykes Bros. Steamship Company—to sail May 20;
- West Cohas—Lykes Bros.—due Genoa May 20;
- Saccarappa—South Atlantic Steamship Company—due Genoa May 20.
Information from Maritime Commission indicates that all these vessels, with the possible exception of the Saccarappa, could be equipped in an emergency to carry 35 to 50 passengers.
Informed also that cargo vessels Pan Royal and Peter Kerr due at Savona May 20 and May 16, respectively.
If it is necessary to use these vessels for the evacuation of American citizens, you should, after consultation with the local agents, make request to Department for authority to issue emergency consular certificate in accordance with Diplomatic Serial no. 3047, March 28, 1939.”56
Arrangements for evacuation Americans from Bordeaux remain under consideration pending determination number Americans congregating there.57 Until Italy should enter war Americans in Switzerland may proceed to Genoa for embarkation.
- Foreign Relations, 1939, vol. i, p. 585.↩
- In telegram No. 739, May 18, 2 p.m., the Ambassador in France had reported that up to noon of that day only 30 Americans had reported to the Consul at Bordeaux (340.1115A/630).↩