Office of the Historian

856.001W64/53a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Kennedy)

Washington, May 18, 1940—7 p.m.

899. From the President.

“Kennedy Secret for the Queen of The Netherlands.65

I need not tell you that I am proud of the splendid resistance put up by your armed forces against impossible odds.

I do not minimize the splendid possibility that the forces of aggression may yet be repelled on the Continent but if because of inhuman bombing of England it becomes advisable for you and your family to come to the United States please do not hesitate to advise me. I think today the best exit is via Ireland and I can send a cruiser or merchant ship with convoy to Irish port but naturally at least a week advance notice is necessary.

We can keep in touch via Ambassador Kennedy in London or Minister David Gray in Dublin, who is my cousin. Franklin D. Roosevelt.”

Hull
  1. Queen Wilhelmina arrived in England May 13.↩