Office of the Historian

138 Emergency Program/679a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Harrison)

Washington, February 17, 1940—3 p.m.

15. Circular to principal consular officers in Near East for transmission to consular officers under their jurisdiction.

Passports American citizens who desire proceed from Near East to Italy or other neutral southern European country solely for purpose of embarking for United States may be validated for travel to such country and such other countries as may be necessary in order to reach the country of embarkation for United States. Sea travel must only be upon American vessel or upon neutral vessel which will not enter combat area.

Hull