340.1115A/1568: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Germany (Morris)
2895. Reference Department’s 2836, October 25, 6 p.m. regarding safe conduct for American vessel to proceed to Ireland. In response to identic communication to the Italian Government, Embassy, Rome, under date October 2975 advises of receipt of third person note, essential parts of which read in translation as follows:
“The Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs has the honor to advise the Embassy of the United States that in the specific case there can be no grant of a true and real safe conduct but rather of assurances that the Italian military authorities have been informed of the voyage of the vessel in order to allow free passage.
The Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs has the honor to state that in principle there are no difficulties in accomplishing the necessary steps but in order to take up the matter with the competent military authorities it will be necessary to have all of the information referred to in its previous note verbale of September 3.”
You may inform German Foreign Office accordingly and say that we would appreciate similar assurances from the German Government.
Information regarding American evacuating vessels which Italian Government desired according to its note verbale of September 3 comprises following: notification of voyage at least 10 days before departure; ports of departure, of transit, of destination and the pertinent dates with the greatest possible approximation; the course on the high seas, speed, the name and flag of the ship, the characteristics of the vessel (length, beam, number of funnels, paintwork), day and night distinguishing marks. It was further stated that if because of bad weather conditions or for other reasons such vessels must delay their movements beyond the date previously announced it will be opportune that such delays be notified immediately.
- Telegram No. 1036, October 29, 3 p.m., not printed.↩