BRITISH BMBA3SY,
WASHINGTON, EU C
December 2nd, 1939
HO. 1354
My Lord,
X have the honour to Inform Your Lordship
that einca last September several of Bis Majesty's
Consular Officers in the United States have referred
to me applications received from American-horn wives
of British subjects for British passports to enable
them to return to their homes in the United Kingdom.
In the majority of cases, these women had come to the
United States before the outbreak of war on temporary
visits travelling on United States passports.
2. On the 4th September, the State Department
announced that United States passports would only bo
issued for travel to belligerent countries in surope
in cases where the Journey was an "imperative
necessity".   In pursuance of this Order, the
Department havo hitherto refused to validate United
States passports hold by American-born wives of
British subjects who desire to return to the United
Kingdom.   However, in reply to semi-official enquiries
made shortly after the outbreak of war, they stated
that thoy would raise no objection to such women
leaving the United States on British passports. I
accordingly authorised the issue of British passports
where the applicants were able to establish their
British nationality.
The Right Honourable
The Viscount Halifax, K.G.,
etc.,
etc.,
etc*
JCT:DH
I
* """ 1
3. The position has boon changed by the rtoont
amendment of the neutrality Law which raalces :Lt
unlawful (1) to travel on belligerent ships and (S)
to proceed into or through a combat zone, and
provides severe penalties for violation of (3). The
State Department who have been consulted semi-
officially as to the effeot of this development
state that, in their view, united States citizens
cannot evade the provisions of the neutrality Law by
travelling on passports of any second nationality
they may possess*   They have explained eonfIdentially|
however, that there is a possibility that, in the near
future, some special concession may be made in favour
of United states citizens ordinarily resident in
belligerent countries which would enable the women la
question to travel on United states passports* I
have therefore informed Consular Officers that
American-born wives of British subjects who apply
for British passports to return to the United Kingdom
should be warned about the severe penalties to which
they, as United States citizens, render themselves
liable under the United States Neutrality Law, and
that they should be advised to wait a little to see
whether the regulations relating to the issue of
United States passports for travel to the war sons
may not be relaxed in their favour.
Z have the honour to be,
with the highest respect,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's moot obedient,
humble servant,
(sob) toraiAH