340.1115A/1369: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in Germany (Kirk)43
2235. 1. The United States army transport American Legion which was sent to Petsamo, Finland, for the purpose of repatriating Americans will sail from Petsamo on August 16, as scheduled, on the course as indicated in the Department’s telegram of August 844 [Page 154] which is hereby repeated as follows: (a) 70 degrees north, 1 degree 30 minutes west; (b) 61 degrees north, 1 degree 30 minutes west; (c) 59 degrees north, 5 degrees no minutes west; and thence between N. Rona and Cape Wrath to (d) 46 degrees 30 minutes north, 53 degrees no minutes west; (e) 40 degrees 10 minutes north, 70 degrees no minutes west.
2. The captain of the vessel has been instructed to make the passage from north of the Shetland Islands by daylight and be well out westward into the Atlantic Ocean before dusk.
3. In addition to the other markings of the ship given in the Department’s telegram of August 8, the ship will fly the American flag from each masthead as well as from the stern and she will proceed fully lighted at night.
4. The Government of the United States repeats that it expects this vessel to proceed on its return journey without interruption or molestation by the air, naval or military forces of any belligerent.
5. You will please notify the appropriate authorities accordingly and cable the Department triple priority that you have done so, repeating this telegram verbatim back to the Department so that it may be sure that it has been correctly received by you.
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Sent on the same date to the Ambassadors in the United Kingdom (No. 2371), Italy (No. 392), France (No. 301) and the Soviet Union (No. 450).
The following was added to No. 2235 to the Chargé in Germany: “You will please advise the German Government that the subject of the course to be followed by this vessel and the several communications on the subject received from the German Government have had the serious and protracted consideration of the Government of the United States. However, no other practical course exists for this vessel to follow. Consequently, the Government of the United States reverts to the original communication of the German Government on the subject and takes note of the fact that the German Government has brought the voyage of this vessel to the attention of its appropriate agencies.
Any additional distinctive markings of the ship which the German authorities may desire to suggest for her identification will be adopted if practicable (which you will please cable triple priority).”
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