You will notice it asks for information which seems necessary to enable
us to understand the purport of the declaration which you have under
consideration. If you agree with us that a telegram ought to be sent
will you please make such corrections as you think best in this and send
it over to the State Department Telegraph Office to be sent out
tonight.
[Enclosure]
Draft Telegram From the Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great
Britain (Page)
British-French declaration regarding commerce to and from Germany
delivered by British and French Ambassadors on March first46 appears to contemplate a blockade of
German coasts but fails to announce establishment of such blockade
or to use the word in declaration.
You will please inquire at once of British Government whether they
consider a state of blockade exists.
If they reply in the affirmative, you will ask by what means they
intend to make it effective, and what will be the radius of activity
of the blockading squadron, and what particular ports or coastal
area they intend to blockade.
You will further ask, in case of a reply in the affirmative, what is
meant by the sentence: “It is not intended to confiscate such
vessels or cargoes unless they would otherwise be liable to
condemnation.”
If they reply in the negative, you will ask under what principle of
international law or practice the proposed total interruption of
commerce will be enforced and to what extent it is proposed to apply
the rules of contraband in dealing with vessels and cargoes
detained, which are going to or coming from Germany. You will
further ask, in case the reply is in the negative, how the right of
immunity from seizure of neutral-owned cargoes is affected by its
origin and what rule of international law prevents free passage of a
cargo of German origin in a neutral vessel bound to a neutral
port.
It is necessary for a proper consideration of the British-French
declaration that the foregoing questions be answered categorically
and clearly in order that this Government may determine to what
extent its rights as a neutral are affected by the declaration.
Report as promptly as possible.
