340.1115A/713: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Kennedy) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 27—2:51 p.m.]
1399. Your 980 and 984, 25th. Everything above decks on the Roosevelt has been taken. We plan to offer cots between decks to 150 to 200 men. That many men may not be available, however, as about nine-tenths of the passengers thus far booked have been women and children.
There are several hundred people here and in Eire who want to go home but who simply can not pay the fares asked. It creates an ugly impression to make the safety of these people contingent upon their ability to pay high fares. Is there any way in which we can help them?
Gray70 suggests that we charge lower rates for cots in the hold. I concur but local United States Lines office fears complaints from those occupying inferior third-class accommodations.
I should be very glad to get the Department’s views on these matters.
- David Gray, Minister in Ireland.↩