340.1115A/1682: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Lisbon (Wiley)
1159. Your 919, December 19, noon.83 From the outbreak of hostilities the Department, through instructions to its officers, has urged Americans in Europe to return promptly to the United States and it has afforded them every assistance to return, including the sending of special ships and the authorization of loans from its limited special funds for transportation expenses of destitute citizens. It feels that all have had opportunity and help to return and that those who have remained have done so of their own will. There is no obligation of the Government to provide transportation for its citizens and no appropriation has been granted by Congress for that purpose. The Department cannot continue indefinitely to afford financial assistance for their transportation from its limited special funds upon which there is heavy demand for other and more national requirements for which they were appropriated. Accordingly it does not contemplate the extension of the loan procedure to Americans in Europe other than those in France, as indicated in the Department’s 1032, December 3, 5 p.m., to you. The loan procedure was extended to destitute Americans in France for a limited period and because of their particular situation as indicated in the telegram.
The Department has been unaware that destitute Americans have been arriving in Lisbon and desires a brief telegraphic report from you of the circumstances and their points of origin in order that it may inquire of its officers at those points further with respect to the circumstances under which the officers may be forwarding such persons.
For your further information and guidance there is quoted as follows the Department’s telegram 857, December 18, 9 p.m., to the Embassy at Vichy for circulation to all officers in France:
[Here follows text of the telegram printed supra.]
Department remains willing contact relatives, friends or employers of destitute Americans and endeavor obtain transportation funds from them upon receipt from you by telegraph names, addresses and amounts required, and to afford any other possible assistance in obtaining private funds here available to destitute Americans.
[Page 184]Lump sum drafts may be drawn against allotments already made you of Departmental and Red Cross funds for use of Americans in France only as instructed.
Supply forms desired being forwarded.
- Not printed.↩