Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1942, General; the British Commonwealth; the Far East, Volume I

340.1115A/2742

Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State (Long) to the Chief of the Special Division (Green)

[Washington,] June 24, 1942.

Mr. Green: I refer to previous regarding the requirement of the German authorities that male persons coming to the United States on the exchange vessel sign promises not to bear arms during the present war. Telegram No. 2900 of June 23 from Bern⁴ states that this requirement is being made of all travelers of the male sex over sixteen and under fifty years of age. Therefore, we should now request all such males whom we may return on the exchange vessel to Lisbon to sign a like declaration at the places where they are detained before they are brought to New York for the sea journey. Those who may refuse to sign such a declaration should be advised that a like declaration is being required of Americans by the German Government and that if they continue their refusal to sign they will be kept in the United States. Arrangements for the signing of such declarations should be made immediately against an additional sailing of the exchange vessel which, if it does not proceed again to Lisbon, will return to Göteborg.⁵

B[reckinridge] L[ong]

4. Not printed.
5. Marginal note: “Done re passengers on Serpa Pinto, 6/25/42. Will be done shortly for passengers aboard Drottningholm. Must wait few days to find out their probable locations.”