File No. 763.72111/736
The British Ambassador (Spring Rice) to the Secretary of State
Washington, November 23, 1914.
[Received November 24.]
No 397]
Sir: With reference to my immediately preceding note of yesterday’s date on the subject of the Sacramento’s voyage,1 I have the honour to state, under instructions from Sir Edward Grey, that the systematic continuance of ships sailing from United States ports with the object of supplying and cooperating with German cruisers is a matter of gravest anxiety to His Majesty’s Government. They fully recognise the absolute sincerity of the United States authorities in endeavouring to satisfy themselves as to the innocence of shipments made by these German supply ships under neutral flags, but the fact remains that the confidence of the authorities is systematically abused by the German agents and shippers. It is feared that the instructions recently issued prohibiting the disclosure of any information in regard to merchant vessels and their cargoes leaving the United States ports play directly into the hands of agents of the German Government who direct in United States territory the operations of these supply ships under neutral flags. If the supply ships, which act as auxiliaries to the German fleet, continue to carry on freely their operations from United States ports, His Majesty’s [Page 637] Government feel unable to admit that the United States Government can repudiate all responsibility for the damage and depredations caused by German cruisers.
His Majesty’s Government have reliable information that some of the persons connected in the dealings of the Sacramento are now concerned in the Olson and Mahony vessel under the United States flag, which is due to sail on November 24 from San Francisco with Valparaiso as ostensible destination. These facts make it more than probable that this vessel, like the Sacramento, is also engaged in supplying German cruisers.
Under these circumstances of gravest suspicion I have the honour to request that the Olson and Mahony may not be allowed to sail without a most careful and searching investigation on the part of the United States Government.
I have [etc.]
- Not printed.↩