811.0141 Phoenix Group/165

Memorandum by Mr. Robert B. Stewart, of the Division of European Affairs, to the Chief of the Division (Moffat)33

I telephoned Commander Molten of the Navy to inquire about the whereabouts and activities of the United States steamship Bushnell which has been making a hydrographic survey of Pacific islands. Commander Molten told me that the ship has completed its work and is now on its way to Ecuador. During its survey of Pacific islands the expedition enjoyed most pleasant relations with the islanders. It is quite possible that they may have, in carrying out their work, blasted their way through some coral reefs and erected [Page 320] some observation towers. These things, however, are normal and necessary operations in carrying out a survey such as they were making.

  1. Marginal notation reads as follows: “Telephoned the foregoing to Mallet 11–16–39.”