740.0011 European War 1939/10388: Telegram

The Minister in Egypt (Kirk) to the Secretary of State

349. My 319.14 It is impossible to exclude the possibility that developments may at any time produce conditions endangering civilians in this area. On May 19, 1940, a circular warning was sent to Americans in Egypt urging them to leave the country but a certain number including women and children have remained consisting almost exclusively of persons or families who decided that they could not or should not leave their occupations here. As the Department has been informed both the Egyptian and British authorities have adopted every possible measure, in view of the recent aggravation of the threat to Egyptian territory, to allay any panic among the native population and accordingly I have not considered it advisable to reissue written warnings to Americans here which could not escape broad publicity. As a compromise measure, however, I have informed orally the leaders of the American colony and all others who have approached me that all Americans who are not prepared to meet any eventuality at any moment should avail themselves immediately of the meager transportation facilities still available to leave the country and I have instructed all officers in Egypt to make the same statement to all inquiries.

  1. Dated April 23, 11 a.m., p. 270.