857.0011/39: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Kennedy)
1349. From the Under Secretary. Your 1790, June 22, 9 p.m. On June 13 the American Chargé d’Affaires in Berlin communicated to the German Foreign Office the desire of the President to send a vessel to Petsamo to evacuate American citizens in northern Europe and to bring likewise to the United States the Norwegian Crown Princess and her family and to receive assurances from the German Government that such vessel would not be interfered with. On June 21 the American Chargé d’Affaires again brought the matter to the attention of a high official of the Foreign Office, who apologized for the delay and stated that he thought a decision from the German naval authorities would shortly be forthcoming. As soon as a reply is received, you will be immediately informed accordingly.
I am sure you will understand that under present conditions Petsamo would seem to be the only port in the north of Europe to which an American vessel could proceed with reasonable safety. Please inform the Crown Prince of these circumstances and say that everything will be done to expedite a solution. [Welles.]