340.1115a/123: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Bullitt) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:06 p.m.]
2334. Your 1125, September 30, 9 p.m.43 I have made a careful investigation of the conduct of the United States Lines organization [Page 626] in France in connection with the repatriation of American citizens during the present crisis.
The Embassy and the Consulates at Le Havre and Bordeaux have remained in close touch with the company’s representatives and the thousands of American citizens desiring repatriation.
Not a single well founded complaint has been received during the entire crisis either by me or by members of my staff or the staffs at Havre and Bordeaux that officials or employees of the lines were practicing discrimination in favor of aliens as against Americans nor has a single specific case of such discrimination been brought to our attention. The Embassy repeatedly emphasized to the local management of the company that every preference should be given to American citizens; but the company’s own policy was clearly to that effect and such action would in all likelihood have been taken without our urging.