File No. 339.41/5.

The British Chargé d’Affaires to the Secretary of State.

Dear Mr. Secretary: I beg to thank you on Sir Cecil Spring Rice’s behalf for your letter to him of June 2, in which you are good enough to communicate the substance of instructions issued to the U. S. S. Castine for the protection of foreign life and property in the Dominican Republic.* * *

Sir Edward Grey desires me to say that His Majesty’s Government trust that instructions to protect British life and property in case of need may be given to whatever vessel of war the United States Government may decide to send to Samana Bay. You will greatly oblige me if with your usual courtesy you could communicate in this sense with the Navy Department.

I am [etc.]

Colville Barclay
.