On August 23rd. several days prior to Germany’s entry into Poland a new section was set up in the Embassy for the purpose of dealing with the large numbers of American citizens who had begun to pour into the office for advice; as well, as to register, and carefully index all of our citizens who had not previously registered with us. Proper and efficient registration, assembling such data as passport details, nearest of kin in the United States, local addresses, and immediate plans was essential for the proper protection of our citizens, as well as to be in a position to communicate with each one immediately in the event that an emergency in the nature of a forced evacuation should become necessary.

Converse, Charles Albert. Report on Evacuation of U.S. Citizens. American Embassy, London, November 11, 1939. Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collections, Charles Albert Converse Papers, 1939-1940 [ms158er1-015]. http://hdl.handle.net/10428/3033. A typewritten report, 3 pages. "Prepared for Mr Klassen[sp?], Nov 11, 1939."