340.1115A/683: Telegram

The Consul General at Jerusalem (Wadsworth) to the Secretary of State

33. Supplementing my telegram No. 30 of May 20, 4 p.m., as the following Reuters’ message with today’s Washington dateline is to appear in tomorrow morning’s Palestine newspapers: “A general warning has been issued to all Americans in Iraq, Palestine, Tunis, Egypt and Tangier to leave while communications are still open.” I have arranged with the Government Press Bureau that the following supplementary comment be concurrently published. “The American Consul General in Jerusalem explains in this connection that there is no insistence by the Government in Washington on the departure of American citizens from these countries and that each citizen must decide for himself whether to remain or to depart”.

I believe and Magnes concurs that thus presented this warning will not occasion panic among resident American Jews. We have particularly wished to avoid this because according to Thomas Cook [Page 881] the only current sailings available for departures are on Italian steamer leaving for Venice May 30 which could accommodate some 200 persons and an east bound Japanese vessel leaving Port Said June 1st. American passenger vessel sailings are reported fully booked but the Legation at Cairo is endeavoring to arrange use of cargo ships if emergency arises. All current British sailings are reported diverted via the Cape.

Wadsworth