340.1115A/807a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Vice Consul at Aden (Timberlake)
Washington, June
1, 1940—7 p.m.
9. Your 9, May 28, noon.79
- 1.
- In view of recent developments and of the possible extension of hostilities to other areas, including your own, than are already involved, you may consider it advisable to invite Americans in your district, without causing undue alarm, to return to the United States while there still remains opportunity for them to do so. In that connection you should bear in mind that the duty of the Government towards its citizens in a war area is accomplished when it has advised them of the dangers of the situation and invited them to leave, while affording those who choose to go every possible assistance in obtaining transportation and to those who choose to remain such protection as may be possible. There must be no insistence upon the departure of any citizen since the Government may not compel the return of its citizens and the decision whether to remain or to depart is one for each individual himself to make.
- 2.
- In the event that Italy should come into the war, you will advise Americans in your district desiring to return home not to proceed via the Red Sea, the Mediterranean or continental Europe.
Hull
- Not printed.↩