File No. 763.72111/4787
The Department of State to the British Embassy
Memorandum
The Department of State acknowledges receipt of the British Embassy’s memorandum of April 12, 1917,1 wherein inquiry is made as to what procedure the Government of the United States proposes to adopt with reference to the German ships laid up in ports of the United States, information being particularly desired as to whether it is proposed to take these vessels before a prize court and whether the provisions of the Hague Convention No. 6 will be applied.
In reply the Department of State advises the British Embassy that it is expected that Congress will empower the President to take over these ships by requisition for use during the present war to supply the needs of water transportation rendered urgent by the ravages of submarine warfare.
- Not printed.↩