340.1115A/1277: Telegram
The Consul General at Florence (Putnam) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 3—10:05 a.m.]
23. For the President from Myron Taylor.36
“For your personal information may I advise that reports I have from Lisbon from Dr. Whipple37 and others who have been attempting to leave for home, are that there is great congestion there and much dissatisfaction that a sizeable ship that would take those waiting for passage is not provided for the accommodation of American citizens. Many of them are not well supplied with funds and all are having difficulty to obtain reasonable living accommodations while waiting in Lisbon. Air service has been interrupted to the extent that Dr. Whipple, who left Rome by air on the 23d and should have been home last Saturday was still in Lisbon on the 30th. According to advice this [Page 150] morning August 2 he has not reached the United States yet. You are doubtless aware that there are also many in Italy who are unable to reach Lisbon, a number of whom came to take the last sailing on the Manhattan and Washington which were canceled and who find themselves in a difficult position.”