340.1015/B: Circular telegram

The Secretary of State to All American Diplomatic Representatives in the American Republics

You may in your discretion inform the appropriate authorities of the Government to which you are accredited that the diplomatic missions of this Government in Europe have been instructed to do everything possible to be of assistance to citizens of the American republics who desire to return to this continent, in cooperation of course with the diplomatic representatives in Europe of those countries.

You may explain informally that this Government does not intend to despatch naval vessels to Europe to evacuate American citizens but [Page 594] that it is doing everything possible to insure continued passenger service by American flag commercial vessels. In addition, our diplomatic representatives in Europe are working in close cooperation with American and other passenger lines in the interests of as rapid and orderly evacuation as possible.

Hull