195.6/406a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Italy (Phillips)
146. Please repeat following to Genoa immediately and to all diplomatic missions or principal consular offices in Mediterranean countries for their repetition to consuls under their jurisdiction:
“Reference Department’s circular instruction, March 28, 1939, diplomatic serial no. 3047,71 regarding emergency evacuation of American citizens by sea.
Since the purpose of emergency consular certificates is to permit rapid evacuation of American citizens, allowing American vessels to carry an increased number of passengers for that purpose, there should not be issued an emergency certificate for any American vessel except for the purpose of carrying bona fide American citizens and the certificate, when authorized by the Department, should be restricted to [Page 112] cover only such citizens together with alien spouses and unmarried minor children who may be accompanying their American spouses or parents.
No general circulation is to be given to these instructions.”