File No. 341.115Am319/226
The Secretary of State to the British Ambassador (Spring Rice)
Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 3d ultimo,1 in regard to the status of certain vessels belonging to the American Transatlantic Company.
The Department has observed the statement in your note that the undertaking made by your Government to the effect that they would not capture the company’s vessels unless they were found to be carrying contraband, until the prize court had given a decision in the cases which are now pending “can not be taken as implying more than is actually stated, and the vessels can not be allowed any special facilities, nor can His Majesty’s Government consent to the removal of any disabilities under which they may be, except on the usual conditions applicable to all vessels in similar circumstances.”
While the Department is not clear as to the meaning of this statement, it may be observed that, as stated in the Department’s note to you of May 10, 1916,2 the owners of the vessels have informed the [Page 430] Department that they have complied strictly with the British Government’s condition, and the Department has no information to the contrary.
I have [etc.]