340.1115A/800a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Kennedy)78
1037. You will please notify the government to which you are accredited that the S. S. Washington of American registry sailed from New York on May 30 for Bordeaux in France for the purpose of repatriating American citizens and their families. The vessel is expected [Page 118] to arrive at Le Verdon about June 4. She may thereafter proceed to Lisbon in Portugal to take on board there additional American citizens and their families for the United States.
The vessel is carrying no cargo or passengers for Bordeaux except two American Red Cross representatives and Red Cross supplies to be landed there. The vessel carries the American flag prominently displayed and is proceeding fully lighted at night. She is unarmed and moving without convoy. The Government of the United States expects this vessel to make its eastward and its return voyage without interruption or molestation by the air, naval or military forces of any belligerent.
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The following instruction was added to this telegram: “Please also notify the Netherlands Government.”
Sent on the same date to the Ambassador in France (No. 536) with instructions to notify Belgian Government and repeat to Angers for notification to Polish Government; to the Ambassador in Germany (No. 1444) with instructions to repeat also to American Embassy, Brussels, and the American Legation, The Hague; and to the Minister in Norway (No. 447).
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