340.1115A/699: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Bullitt)
502. Your 886, May 26. Department is equally concerned with you for Americans waiting transportation in the Bordeaux area and is investigating urgently every possibility for providing speedy transportation for them. S. S. President Roosevelt will probably be completely booked and therefore unavailable for dispatch to Bordeaux. Your experience last fall will inform you that ships which are available for sending to Bordeaux are not acceptable to Americans desiring repatriation, and ships other than those then sent difficult to find. Department now informed that S. S. Manhattan due Naples today and Genoa tomorrow and scheduled sail for New York June 1 may have some passenger-carrying space available, perhaps for 400. If so, she will be diverted after passing Gibraltar to call at Bordeaux. There also exists possibility which Department is considering that the [Page 111] S. S. Washington due New York May 28 can make a quick turn around to Genoa and return via Bordeaux. You will be kept promptly informed of dispositions.