Office of the Historian

340.1115A/1474

Memorandum of Telephone Conversation, by the Assistant Chief of the Visa Division (Coulter)42

[Washington,] August 13, 1940.

Mr. Foster of the British Embassy telephoned on August 10 concerning an inquiry received from the Foreign Office at London regarding the cases of British refugee children having dual nationality. Mr. Foster stated that the Embassy at London had apparently taken the position that as these children are regarded as American citizens, they may not be granted visas as British subjects. In this connection, Note 2 of the Visa Regulations, Supplement A, Part II, Foreign Service Regulations, points out that American citizens should not be documented as aliens. Mr. Foster stated that as the Embassy in London regards the children as American citizens, they have been unable to obtain transportation by American vessels in view of the neutrality law. These children, therefore, are at a disadvantage as compared with British children, in coming to the United States. Mr. Foster asked that he be advised regarding the procedure which these children should follow in being evacuated.

E[liot] B. C[oulter]

  1. Addressed to the Chief of the Passport Division, the Special Assistant in Charge and the Administrative Officer of the Special Division, and the Assistant Secretary of State.

    Marginal notes: “These children have had many opportunities to return on the Am. ships sent over. R[uth] S[hipley, Chief of Passport Division]. They can now come out on plane to Lisbon, France by Am. ships.”

    “They may fly to Lisbon like any other American citizen. B[reckinridge] L[ong, Assistant Secretary of State].”

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