File No. 703.72/4799a

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain ( Page )1

[Telegram]

4853. Major General Pershing, Commander American expedition, accompanied by staff and headquarters, numbering altogether about 150 persons, will sail on the Baltic on May 242 for England en route to France. Make arrangements to facilitate entry and passage through England. Officers and soldiers in uniform will not [Page 67] be provided with passports. Civilian employees will be provided with certificates of identification issued by the War Department, with photographs attached. Please ascertain and telegraph Department as soon as possible whether this arrangement will be satisfactory, as to this particular party and as to members of expeditionary forces who may pass through England hereafter.

Lansing
  1. The same, mutatis mutandis, on the same date, to the Ambassador in France (No. 2272), referring to entry into France.
  2. By telegram No. 4868, May 24, the date of sailing was changed to May 28. (File No. 763.72/4815.)