138 Emergency Program/365a: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Harrison)
Washington, November
22, 1939—6 p.m.
121. Reference Department’s 62, September 5, 2 p.m. and circular telegram November 17, 6 p.m. In pursuance of Departmental Order 811 of September 8 [4], 1939,71 which provides that passports of American nationals abroad shall be submitted to American consular officers for endorsement under special instructions to be sent subsequently the following instructions are sent for guidance.
[Page 710]- First. Department desires that all unexpired American passports in possession of persons residing or travelling in Europe, irrespective of date or place of issue or remaining period of validity shall, as hereinafter provided, be validated by American consular officers prior to January 1, 1940.
- Second. As provided by above-mentioned order, when passports are issued or validated for use in Europe validity shall be restricted to countries and for period necessary to accomplish purpose of travel or residence in Europe and shall in no case be issued or validated for Europe for period in excess of 6 months or for unnecessary countries. At the end of 6 months period they are subject to revalidation in appropriate cases under same general conditions as governed original validation.
- Third. Validation of unexpired passports should be accomplished by appropriate endorsement by officer on page of passport and impression of signing officer’s right thumbprint on same page and in case of first validation also on photograph on passport. See circular instruction of October 6 regarding fingerprinting.72 An endorsement should be dated and read in substance “this passport expires date. It is not valid for travel in Europe except (naming necessary countries) for (naming purpose).”
- Fourth. When new passports are issued thumbprint should similarly be placed on page bearing officer’s signature and on photograph affixed to passport.
- Fifth. Applicants for new passports and bearers requesting validations must execute applications on form 219 and submit two additional recently taken photographs, on each of which officer shall affix right thumbprint of applicant. One photograph shall be affixed to form 219 and forwarded to Department. Duplicate of form with other photograph attached should be retained in consulate.
- Sixth. Local authorities should be notified of requirement that after January 1, 1940 all passports bear validating endorsements and thumbprints and should be requested to refer holders of passports not so validated to nearest American consulate. In cases of suspected fraud appropriate steps should be taken to insure that passports will reach consulate safely.
- Seventh. Unless applicant is personally known to consular officer Department desires thorough check through all appropriate sources including if desired local authorities into bona fides each applicant with a view to preventing improper use of outstanding passports and retiring those which may now be in alien hands.
- Eighth. In issuing or validating passports for travel officers will of course be guided by circular telegram of November 17 regarding travel in combat areas and on belligerent vessels.
- Ninth. Passports of persons whose travel in Europe is not reasonably necessary should be endorsed as valid only for immediate return to the United States. Reasons for residence or travel in belligerent countries in Europe must be of more imperative character than in neutral countries. American news correspondents, relief, philanthropic and religious workers, and representatives of American commercial concerns may be regarded as in approved categories when identified as such by proper credentials. Having in mind that Department does not desire to create unnecessarily cases of real hardship leniency may be shown in cases of persons having a permanent residence abroad and of those whose financial situation is such that return to United States for residence would involve serious financial difficulties. In applying test of necessity with respect to persons desiring to return to Europe Department has, for the present, adopted a more lenient attitude with respect to Spain, Portugal, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland and Denmark and has accordingly regarded students adult members of families and persons with urgent personal business as eligible.
- Tenth. Passports should not be issued or validated for travel in opposing belligerent countries. There is no objection to validating for a belligerent country passports previously valid for an opposing belligerent if passport has first been appropriately amended to exclude belligerent first included.
- Eleventh. Promptly repeat to all offices in Europe by air mail.
Welles