File No. 367.11/152.

The American Ambassador to the Secretary of State.

No. 494.

Sir: Referring to my despatch No. 481 of April 29, 1913, on the subject of requisitions for war purposes, I have the honor to enclose herewith a copy and translation of an identic note verbale sent by the diplomatic missions to the Sublime Porte in reply to its circular note verbale of April 23, 1913 [Inclosure 4 with despatch No. 481], copy of which was transmitted to the Department in my above-mentioned despatch.

I have [etc.]

W. W. Rockhill.
[Inclosure—Identic note verbale.]

The American Embassy to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

The Embassy of the United States of America has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the circular note verbale of April 23 last, addressed to it by the Imperial Ministry on the subject of the requisition for war purposes of horses and vehicles belonging to foreign subjects.

This Embassy regrets that by reason of experience acquired in this connection it is unable to accept the conclusions of the Sublime Porte in regard to this question and states that it must hold to the reservations and arguments brought forward in its identic notes verbales of the 25th of January [Inclosure 1 with despatch No. 347] and the 22nd of February last [Inclosure with despatch No. 429]. The urgent character of these operations which the Sublime Porte evokes cannot in any way diminish the necessity of recourse to consular assistance.

Finally, the Embassy of the United States of America begs to point out that its above-mentioned note of February 22, has in view not only the requisition of horses and vehicles but every other sort of requisition.