Office of the Historian

340.1115a/707: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Bullitt)

Washington, May 28, 1940—3 p.m.

513. Your 909, May 27, 7 p.m.72 S. S. Washington arrived New York this morning. Will be turned around immediately and leave noon May 30 proceeding directly Bordeaux due to arrive there June 4 and embark passengers at Le Verdon. She will then call Lisbon.

Ship may then proceed into Mediterranean, conditions permitting, where cabin passages have already been sold for return trip from Genoa. All extra spaces afforded by use of Consular certificate are reserved first for American citizens, second (and this only in case of specific request) for citizens of Latin American Republics. Third, the category you mention about distinguished persons of other nationalities unfortunately we are unable to authorize. There are so many Americans at both Atlantic and Mediterranean ports and so many complications and restrictions of the Neutrality Act73 even as concerns cargo prohibitions that Department is unable to accede to your suggestion and regretfully withholds authority.

Hull
  1. Not printed.↩
  2. Approved November 4, 1939; 54 Stat. 4. For correspondence concerning the neutrality policy of the United States, sea Foreign Relations, 1939, vol. i, pp. 656 ff↩