File No. 841.857 T53/50.
The American Consul General at Halifax to the Secretary of State.
Halifax, Nova Scotia, April 30, 1912.
Sir: I have the honor to confirm my telegram of April 29th and the Department’s reply of same date. In this connection I may say that I made no demand on the authorities here that the effects found on the bodies of American citizens should be turned over to me. Up to the 27th instant it was understood that the parties representing the White Star Company would forward all such effects to their New York office, where the same could be had on proper application, and against this proposition the Provincial authorities offered no remonstrance so far as I have been able to learn, but emphatic protest against this method was offered by numerous relatives and friends. [Page 496] Finally the matter was taken up by the Provincial authorities and both the Lieutenant Governor and the Premier called and offered to take any action that might result in peace and harmony. A meeting of the authorities was called at the Attorney General’s office on Monday to consider the matter, and I was advised to be present. After mature deliberation the Premier advised that the statutes of the Province be complied with by having the Provincial Secretary receive all the effects, inventory the same, and after their use as means of identification by the Coroner they should be turned over to the American Consul General for such disposition as the law might require.
This arrangement, it seemed to me, would be in accordance with section 392 of the regulations and would not conflict with section 389 inasmuch as the authorities were willing to waive all formalities and have it that way.
In the meantime I cabled the Department for instructions. On receipt of reply I advised the authorities here and have taken no further part in the matter.
I have [etc.]
Note.—At the time of the disaster the Cunarder Carpathia was 58 miles distant, the Leyland liner Californian 5 to 10 miles (various estimates), the Canadian Pacific’s Mount Temple 49 miles; others at greater distances. The Carpathia was east bound, the two others named west bound. The Senate committee’s conclusion, and that of the British court of inquiry, was that the Californian, which made no attempt to give aid, could have rescued those aboard the Titanic (probably all of them, according to the British findings) had it promptly offered such assistance as came, at the earliest possible moment, from the Carpathia, commanded by Captain Arthur Henry Rostron, who saved thirty-three per cent of those on board.