340.1115A/680a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Kennedy)62
941. You will please notify the Government to which you are accredited that the steamship President Roosevelt of American registry is proceeding from New York to Galway, Eire, on the great circle route for the purpose of repatriating American citizens and their families, sailing from New York May 24 arriving Galway probably May 30.
On the eastward voyage the vessel will carry no cargo. On the westward voyage she will carry no cargo and only American citizens and their families as passengers. The vessel will carry the American flag prominently displayed and will proceed fully lighted at night. The vessel is unarmed and moving without convoy. The Government of the United States expects this vessel to make its eastward and its westward voyages without interruption or molestation by the air, naval or military forces of any belligerent.
Please also notify the Netherlands Government.
- The same, with the omission of the last sentence, on the same date to the Ambassador in Germany (No. 1363), to the Minister in Norway (No. 423), and to the Ambassador in France (No. 452) with instructions to notify the Belgian Government and to repeat to Angers for notification of the Polish Government. Department’s telegram No. 947, May 23, added that the Roosevelt would carry no mail on the eastward or westward voyage (340.1115A/700a).↩