867N.55/176: Telegram

The Consul General at Jerusalem (Wadsworth) to the Secretary of State

Reference my May 31, 2 p.m.,87 906 more illegal immigrants were apprehended on June 1st aboard Greek-owned and operated steamship Liesel (formerly Myconos, see Lloyds Register) flying Panaman flag under certificate of registry issued May 3rd last by the Panaman Consul in London.

Of the more than 800 referred to in my telegram under reference 401 were apprehended May 29 aboard the Panaman-owned, Greek operated salvage steam tug Atrato (formerly Irini and Vernicos) also flying Panaman flag but under certificate of registry issued January 10th last by the Port Inspector of Panama.

The British naval officer who made this last mentioned capture informed me he learned from the vessel’s officers that it had already made two successful immigrant-running trips, thus adding confirmation to widely credited reports that many more illegal immigrants are entering the country clandestinely than are apprehended.

The only other officially reported instance of a Panaman vessel engaged in this traffic was the Greek-operated steamship Assimi (formerly New Pioneer) mentioned in my despatch No. 926 of May 3 [Page 772] last. Several others, however, are cited by the Consulate General at Athens in its despatch of May 3 last.88

I have mentioned informally to the concerned British officials here that as the Consulate General is charged with the representation of Panaman interests I should appreciate being kept informed of developments relevant to the current captures but that I perceived no concern for its concerning itself officially therewith.

Wadsworth
  1. Not printed.
  2. Not found in Department files.