393.0015/11–1848: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Consul at Geneva (Troutman)
1524. Tuck from Saltzman. Pursuant urtel Nov 18 (Geneva’s 1464 to Dept relayed Shanghai Canberra Nov 18) Dept made urgent request Army for IRO use 3 USATs on Australian run for limited period. Entry USATs into Palestine ports and transit Suez Canal not considered feasible. Will advise further soon as Army reply recd.
Under circumstances suggest further exploration availability Mediterranean ports such as Genoa for onward movement refugees to Palestine. Pending completion other arrangements also suggest Wooster Victory and Castelbianca might proceed Shanghai immediately to embark refugees. Dept advised that Israeli Consul proceeding Shanghai and over 1700 refugees will be processed by time Wooster Victory and Castelbianca arrive Shanghai. Ships might be [Page 953] routed thereafter to Sidney or Mediterranean port accordance with arrangements completed at time departure from Shanghai.
Kindly advise whether Australia has granted transit facilities and if not whether IRO ships on Australian run could pick up refugees Shanghai on return voyage for delivery Mediterranean port.
Will keep you advised. [Saltzman.]