Office of the Historian

File No. 656.119/491

The Minister in the Netherlands ( Garrett) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]
The Hague, May 27, 1918, noon.
[Received 7.45 p.m.]

2915. Your 1282, May 25, 3 p.m.1 Following statement concerning treatment of Dutch crews as agreed upon by British and American Governments was communicated to me by Stevens:

1.
With regard to the [members of] Dutch crews there is no reason why they should [not] have their private effects and books. Instructions have been issued to see that this is arranged. Where petty officers own sextants, chronometers, or other articles necessary for the navigation of the ship, these will be retained and compensation paid therefor.
2.
Government will pay the members of Dutch crews their full wages up to the time of their repatriation or up to the time at which by signing on other steamers or otherwise they waive their right to be repatriated.
3.
The United States Government will accept the insurance liabilities for the Dutch crews on the Dutch basis until such time as they are repatriated or waive their right thereto. If the Dutch basis includes a right to a pension on the part of widows, the United States Government will accept this liability.
4.
The United States Government will be prepared in addition to the foregoing to pay one month’s wages after repatriation to all members of the crews.

This statement differs from your 1282, but more nearly resembles instructions received by British Minister here. Am holding up notice to Foreign Office pending the receipt of more definite instructions and in order to save time have telegraphed Stevens to explain discrepancies if possible.

Garrett
  1. Not printed.↩