The Secretary of State to the French Ambassador (Jusserand)
My Dear Mr. Ambassador: The Department of Labor has called my attention to the fact that certain aliens who have been discharged from the French Army are seeking entrance into the United States with a view to crossing into Canada. The names of these persons are Jean Robert, and Julian Dequidt.
In this connection I desire to call your attention to the case which occurred in December last, when the British Ambassador inquired of the Department whether discharged or invalided soldiers returning from Europe and no longer forming a part of any military unit arid traveling as individuals would be allowed to cross American territory into Canada. In reply I felt under the necessity of saying that the transportation of such soldiers could not be allowed on account of the embarrassment which might follow if free passage were permitted. In arriving at this decision I was not insensible to the convenience of allowing the passage of such soldiers over American territory, but on the other hand it was evident that such soldiers, sick, wounded, or discharged, could easily be repatriated without entering any other than Canadian jurisdiction.
I am sure you will understand that in these circumstances I must ask that your Government take steps to prevent discharged soldiers, intending to go to Canada, from applying for entry at American ports for the purpose of proceeding to that country. In order to relieve Jean Robert and Julian Dequidt from the hardships consequent upon deportation, I have made an exception in the present case and have requested the immigration authorities not to object to the [Page 705] entry of these men on account of their desire to proceed to Canada. I have communicated with the British Ambassador in a similar sense in regard to a British subject discharged from the British Army who desires to enter the United States in transit to Canada.
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