390.1115A/792: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul at Bombay (Donovan)
142. Your 279, April 20.36 While Brazil is believed able to accommodate all Americans desiring repatriation from India, Department has, nevertheless, arranged for a second vessel, the Monterrey to call at Karachi about the same time as the Brazil to repatriate Americans. These vessels will operate under the War Shipping Administration on the return voyages and that agency has appointed the American President Lines as agents for the vessels which Department considers desirable.
Department is endeavoring to arrange with War Shipping Administration to agree to operate these vessels on a semi-commercial basis, namely, that cabin accommodations would be available at ordinary commercial rates and that troop quarters accommodations would be [Page 278] available at the rate of $150. Confirmation of these arrangements will be telegraphed to you as soon as possible.
Needy Americans unable to pay for their transportation to the United States may be granted repatriation loans against their promissory notes, providing they qualify therefor in accordance with the provisions of Diplomatic Serial 3382 (see Department’s 57, February 20 to Calcutta39 which was repeated to you).
Repeat to President’s personal representative and all other offices in India.