740.0011 European War 1939/10693: Telegram
The Minister Resident in Iraq (Knabenshue) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 6—3:27 p.m.]
116. Department’s telegram via London37 stating my 11038 last received. My 115, May 4 the last sent. No. 114 was canceled. Americans at Legation are well. I am informed by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs that the Jesuit Fathers of the Jesuit College and Dr. and Mrs. Staudt of American Boys School who elected remain at their respective schools are well, and also that one American Jesuit Father and a Miss Adams at the British Embassy are presumably still there. The Ministry Foreign Affairs will inquire and report to me regarding whereabouts and welfare of the Willoughby family at Mosul. Referring to my 113,39 I suggest that Department make inquiries through other channels regarding American women who left here for Basra via Habbaniya and also regarding Americans at Basra. I have been and am continuing to be absolutely correct [Page 507] in the matter of the persons of various nationalities who have taken refuge in the Legation and in all other respects thus endeavoring to retain the confidence in me of the Ministry Foreign Affairs and thereby receive their cooperation to ensure the protection of the people who have taken refuge here and the inviolability of the Legation in accordance with the accepted principles of international law. I have nothing further to report at this time. Please acknowledge in plain language receipt of this and previous telegrams.