340.1115A/832: Telegram
The Chargé in Germany (Heath) to the Secretary of State
[Received 12:50 p.m.]
1710. Following message received from The Hague through the Foreign Office:
“Following for Department: 233, May 29, 4 p.m. The paramount outstanding problem here at the present moment is the evacuation of the Americans remaining in this country. My best estimate, in which Lee86 and Lord87 concur, is that we must count on about 400 to 500 Americans and 100 to 150 of their immediate alien dependents requiring evacuation. In view of the material losses suffered by many of them it is probable that the estimated figure of approximately 27,000 dollars necessary for repatriation loans (see my 128, April 19, 1 p.m.) will have to be materially increased—my present guess would be by something approaching 30 percent.
While I have dealt with this subject in previous telegrams I have as yet had no answer thereto. I trust that answers to my telegrams on this point, as well as instructions indicating a comprehensive plan for evacuation of Americans here, together with authorization for repatriation loans in adequate amount having already been sent to me by the Department and that they are now in Berlin or elsewhere en route awaiting the moment when they can be transmitted. The radio announcement that the liner President Roosevelt would be sent to the [Page 124] hitherto proscribed area of the Irish coast to take off Americans has of course raised high hopes in the American colony here that arrangements can similarly be made to send an American ship into the port of Rotterdam or at least Antwerp where there would be just as many Americans ready to board her as could fill the President Roosevelt (see my 204, May 14, 6 p.m.,88 and also my 170, May 11,89 last paragraph). Gordon.”