Roosevelt Papers: Telegram
The Supervising Agent, United States Secret Service (Reilly) to the Agent at Cairo (Spaman)1
Inform President that the United States Legation is adequate and is located one mile from the British Legation and Russian Embassy, which adjoin each other. The route between presents no security problems. The maximum altitude between Cairo and Teheran direct is no more than eight thousand feet. The railroad reaches an altitude of eight thousand feet. To obtain the train equipment, it will be necessary for us to notify the Shah. Plans are being made for both a direct flight from Cairo to Teheran and also for a flight from Cairo to the field at Abadan and then by rail to Teheran. The railroad terminal is located at Khorram Shahr which is seven miles from Abadan and it will be necessary to cross the Karoon river in a small boat. The railroad presents many dangerous security problems. General Hurley informs me of his conversation with the President.2 We have made no commitments as to a residence for the President. He can stay at the United States, the British or at the Russian Embassy if invited. You must leave Cairo at six a.m., Cairo time, on the 26th. Arriving Abadan at 3 p.m. Then depart Khorram Shahr by rail at 4 p.m. Arrive Andimeshk at 9 p.m. Depart Andimeshk at 8 a.m. on 27th and arrive Teheran at 5 a.m. on the 28th. This schedule must be maintained if you expect to see any scenery. Urgently recommend you fly direct to Teheran, in which event you can depart Cairo at [Page 398] 7:30 a.m., Cairo time, and arrive Teheran at 3:30 p.m., Teheran time the same day. Otis Bryan concurs in all this. Urgently request decision as to whether you will fly direct or proceed by rail be sent to me tonight. Otherwise I will depart Teheran at 7 a.m. on the 25th and will arrive Cairo at 1 p.m. Cairo time the same day. McCarthy says facilities fine for Chiefs of Staff and requests you notify Captain Royal at Mena House that he will be in at 1 p.m. Cairo time tomorrow with full details. Have three cars meet special plane at Payne Field tomorrow at one.
From Reilly to Spaman. Show this message to Admiral McIntire, Mr. Hopkins, General Watson, Admiral Brown, and the President.
- Channel of transmission not indicated. The date “26 Nov.” appears in handwriting on the source text, but from internal evidence and from the Log (ante, p. 298) it is clear that the telegram was sent on the 24th.↩
- Hurley’s conversations with Roosevelt at Cairo are summarized in Lohbeck, pp. 208–209. See also Hurley’s telegram of November 26, 1943, post, p. 440.↩