701.6511/1259: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of
State to the Chargé in Switzerland (Huddle)27
Washington, February 25, 1942.
541. American Interests—Italy. Your 340, January 31, paragraph
5;28 Department’s 494, February 20. Please
ask Swiss Government to inform Italian Government as follows:
- “1. It now appears that it may be possible for the
United States Government to place on board the official
exchange vessel not to exceed 250 Italian non-official
nationals. The lists received from Prince Colonna and
the Swiss Legation of Italian nationals who have at one
time or another expressed a wish to return to Italy
include 160 names but the United States Government has,
in respect of the persons named by the Swiss Legation,
no assurances that these individuals are persons in
whose return to Italy the Italian Government has
interest. It is expected that the Italian Government
will promptly make known through Swiss channels its
views regarding the Italian nationals to be accommodated
in the available 250 berths and whether the 250 berths
shall be reserved for Italian nationals from the United
States or whether part of them shall be made available
to Italian nationals from other of the American
Republics.
- 2. In view of its willingness to permit the
embarkation on the exchange vessel of a number of
Italian nationals which may be considered to be larger
than the number of such nationals in whose return the
Italian Government has expressed an interest the United
States Government expects correspondingly generous
attitude on the part of the Italian authorities
specifically that any American national in Italy and
Italian-occupied territory who may wish to return home
will be granted permits and facilities necessary for
departure in order to return on the exchange
vessel.”
Furthermore please inform Foreign Office that Department would
appreciate receiving as promptly as possible lists of unofficial
Americans in Italy and Italian-occupied territory who have expressed
the desire to return to the United States. It would likewise
appreciate it if the Swiss representatives throughout this area
might endeavor to communicate with the Americans in their respective
districts with a view to ascertaining whether they wish to return to
the United States.
