Office of the Historian

File No. 763.72111/3659

The Attorney General (Gregory) to the Secretary of State

Washington, April 20, 1916 .

Sir: The Department is in receipt to-day of a cablegram from the United States Attorney for the District of Porto Rico, as follows:

Reported to me that Germans here have made statement that the three ships in harbor here would be disabled if relations are broken off. I think there is ground for believing this. Can you cable authority to marshal to appoint special deputies if necessary? Marshal joins in request.

The Department has cabled to him the following reply:

So far as may be necessary to protect vessels in custody of the court, marshal is authorized to appoint special deputies.

Respectfully,

For the Attorney General:
Charles Warren