811.114 Josephine K./199

The Acting Secretary of State to the Canadian Chargé (Mahoney)

Sir: Reference is made to Mr. Wrong’s note No. 46, of March 16, 1931, and to my acknowledgment of March 17, 1931,15 in regard to the seizure by the United States Coast Guard on January 24,1931, of the Canadian vessel Josephine K.

It is the contention of the United States Government that the Josephine K. was legally seized. A libel has been filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, asking for the forfeiture of the Josephine K., and in due course the case will come up for trial. In view of these pending court proceedings I am not in a position to comment on the issues raised in Mr. Wrong’s note until the court has rendered a decision. In the meantime the claimant of the vessel has given a bond to the court and the vessel has been returned to his possession. I have asked the Attorney General to expedite in so far as possible the trial of this case.

Accept [etc.]

For the Acting Secretary of State:
Wilbur J. Carr
  1. Latter not printed.