File No. 814.48/16
Chargé Thurston to the Secretary of State
Guatemala City, December 31, 1917, 10 p.m.
Your December 30, 6 p.m. Thank you. Have already received seven applications for transportation to the United States by destitute Americans and expect others. I do not think there will be more than twenty-five. In view of the fact that train for Puerto Barrios probably will leave here January 2, please instruct me immediately. Suggest that arrangement with the United Fruit Company be made whereby destitute Americans bearing transportation order issued by me may go to United States on the steamer which brings Red Cross supplies.
Your December 28, 6 p.m., delayed seventy-two hours has just arrived. Will send important wireless message this matter to-morrow morning.