Office of the Historian

125.0040/33c: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Harrison)40

Washington, May 13, 1940—noon.

42. Repeat following by telegraph to 11 offices named, inserting appropriate “authorization number” in paragraph 4 in each case, and [Page 88] request acknowledgment: Ankara 179; Athens 180; Beirut 181; Belgrade 182; Bern 183; Bucharest 184; Budapest 185; Cairo 186; Jerusalem 187; Rome 188; and Sofia 189.

1.
Refer circular instruction of March 21, 1939, part 2,41 as amended by circular telegrams to Bern of October 24, 193942 and No. 11, February 9, 1940.43
2.
Travel expenses and per diem during direct journey from post of duty to homes in United States, and in accordance with the travel regulations, are hereby authorized for wives and minor children of officers and American employees of the State Department (but not of other Departments) at all posts under your jurisdiction. This authority may be availed of now or later without Department’s specific prior approval as required by paragraph 2 of Bern circular no. 11. Foreign vessels may be used if American vessels are not immediately available. Transportation may be purchased by the post of duty or by any offices visited en route and accumulated per diem may be paid by such offices. Transportation requests should not be used for any part of the journey. After arrival in United States travelers may submit claim to Department for further expenses and per diem. Per diem terminates on arrival at home in United States. No allowances are payable in United States and Department can give no assurance whatever that it will be able to pay the expenses of the family’s return to the post at some future date. Telegraph names of travelers, dates of sailing, and names of vessels promptly in every case. Department endeavors whenever possible to notify Fyfe44 and relatives.
3.
The chief of mission or principal consular officer is hereby authorized, in his discretion if the war extends to his country or if serious danger threatens the post, to order the temporary evacuation to places of safety of wives and minor children of officers and American employees of State and other Departments. Travel expenses to and from the place of safety are payable. Per diem during travel and while at place of safety may be granted at following rates: for wives, three dollars; for minor children, one dollar fifty. Telegraph names and destinations. Department endeavors to keep relatives in United States informed.
4.
Charge all expenses incurred under the authority of the two preceding paragraphs to authorization number blank—1938/1940. Draw separate drafts; render separate accounts.
5.
Repeat to all consular offices under your jurisdiction.
Hull
  1. Telegrams No. 46, May 14, and No. 57, May 23, 6 p.m., to the Minister in Switzerland requested that this telegram be repeated to Algiers, Tunis, and Tangier, and to Gibraltar and Malta, respectively (125.0040/33b, 47a).↩
  2. Foreign Relations, 1939, vol. i, p. 574.↩
  3. See telegram No. 1278, October 23, 1939, 6 p.m., to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom, ibid., p. 630.↩
  4. Ante, p. 68.↩
  5. Howard Fyfe, United States despatch agent.↩