File No. 763.72111/4777

The Swiss Minister ( Ritter ) to the Secretary of State

Sir: This Legation had already brought to the attention of your Department the fact that German merchant ships which are interned in Honolulu had been seized by the local authorities, and their officers and crews removed.

Upon intervention of your Department the United States troops have been removed from these ships and their crews released.

I am now informed by Mr. John W. Cathcart, lawyer in Honolulu, that during the stay of United States troops on these ships, considerable looting has been done. The respective cable, dated February 18, reads as follows:

Captains all vessels now preparing statements showing detailed items of looting which should be ready next week. Statements will show many articles missing and cover many pages, for [?] too much to cable. Generally speaking great looting took place of bed and table linen, tableware, provisions, engine room stores, wines, and other articles belonging to vessels, also clothing and personal effects, American and foreign moneys, and other valuables belonging to crews. Judging from reports already received, impossible now to approximate losses but believe will run into thousands of dollars; will mail detailed statements at earliest possible moment.

I am furthermore informed by the Hamburg American Line in New York that German ships in Manila and Colon have also been seized, their crews arrested, and U. S. soldiers put on board. It seems that looting has been done also on these ships since the crews were removed. The Hamburg American Line wired me under date of February 16 as follows:

Message from our agents in Manila reads: Owing to pilferage and damages committed on some steamers by Government guards, we consider it necessary to take inventory all ships before customs authorities, fixing liability prior to making application for return of crews aboard message ends. We (Hamburg American Line) have instructed our agents at Honolulu and Manila as follows: Take inventory of ships effects on basis claims for articles looted by troops. Status of all our ships and crews at all ports except Manila and Colon now satisfactorily arranged as crews returned to ships without re strictions and guards removed from ships. At Manila and Colon, ships in charge of troops or guards and officers and crews removed. Manila advises further: Crews removed to Baguio contrary to press cables local Government has no instructions return ships. According to message Feb. 4 from our agents at Colon officers and crews removed from ships captains and wives interned at Hotel Washington officers and crews in Fort Randolph. Today Colon advises us Governor Panama Canal replies to your recent inquiry at no time has been intention definitely seize ships on contrary vessels were taken and being held simply as safety measure protect channels [Page 564] structure of Canal until he receives advice to contrary from Washington deems preferable allow matters remain as are at present.

I have the honor to submit these facts to your excellency and would be obliged, if instructions could be given that investigations are made immediately in Honolulu, Manila and Colon.

Accept [etc.]

P. Ritter