File No. 697/43.
The Acting Secretary of State to Minister Moses.
Washington, June 18, 1909.
Sir: The department is advised that in Piraeus the American flag is extensively used by Greeks who have returned from a sojourn in America in advertisement of saloons and cigar stores. It seems probable that this custom also prevails in other parts of Greece. You will, therefore, bring this matter to the attention of the foreign office, and say that the department is desirous of the cooperation of the Greek Government in preventing this abuse and disgrace of the national emblem of the United States, and confidently trusts that measures looking toward this end will be taken or sanctioned by the Greek Government.
In this connection you will call to the attention of the foreign office a similar case which arose in Brazil in the year 1864, wherein the American minister, with the consent and approval of the Brazilian Government, issued a circular, directed to the United States consuls under his jurisdiction, prohibiting the flying of the American flag in Brazil except by those in official capacities or by other persons who should have previously received the permission of the United States minister for so doing. Reference to this case will be found in Moore’s Digest of International Law, volume 2, at page 135.
The department expects that, in conjunction with the foreign office, you will devise means to put a stop to this abuse of the flag of the United States.
I am, etc.,