The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Sharp)
[Telegram]
Washington,
December 28, 1915, 3 p. m.
1283. Your 1179, December 27. If opportunity presents itself please convey to Foreign Minister that even if, as he supposed, men were removed from steamers on account of suspicion German plots and intrigues in the West Indies, this is not regarded by the Department as justification for the seizure of the men and that even if the men were found to be implicated in such plots and intrigues, they could not, in the view of the Department, be rightfully detained on that account.
Lansing