740.00111A Passenger Travel/4a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Minister in Ireland ( Cudahy )

16. Your telephone conversation with the Under Secretary.50 Section 9 of Neutrality Act prohibits travel by American citizens on belligerent vessels. The prohibition does not apply, however, to citizens homeward bound sailing within 90 days from the date of the President’s embargo proclamation. Furthermore, the Secretary is authorized to make exceptions by regulation. The regulation issued on September 5 reads as follows:51

“American diplomatic and consular officers and their families, members of their staffs and their families, and American military and naval officers and personnel and their families may travel pursuant to orders on vessels of France; Germany; Poland; or the United Kingdom, India, Australia and New Zealand if the public service requires.

“Other American citizens may travel on vessels of France; Germany; Poland; or the United Kingdom, India, Australia and New [Page 694] Zealand, provided, however, that travel on or over the north Atlantic Ocean, east of 30 degrees west and north of 30 degrees north or on or over other waters adjacent to Europe or over the continent of Europe or adjacent islands shall not be permitted except when specifically authorized by the Secretary of State in each case.”

Hull
  1. No record of conversation found in Department files.
  2. Department of State Bulletin, September 9, 1939, p. 219, or 4 Federal Register 3838.