The Acting Secretary of State to the German Ambassador (Bernstorff)
Washington, November 5, 1914.
No. 1108]
Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of October 29, 1914, stating that it has come to your knowledge that a Japanese war vessel lying off the harbor of Honolulu had communication with the land on the 24th and 26th ultimo.
[Page 662]In response to your request for information in the matter I have the honor to advise you that the Department is informed that the captain of the Japanese cruiser Hizen requested, on October 26, permission to send sealed communications to the Japanese Consul at Honolulu, and to receive sealed replies, but that such permission was refused; that on October 24 the captain of the Hizen sent a radiogram stating that he had captured a German schooner whose crew he desired to release at Honolulu, and that in order to confer with the American officers in regard to this matter, he desired to send a launch to Honolulu. The American authorities allowed the launch to enter the port for the conference, and also granted permission for the landing of the crew of the captured German cruiser. It appears, however, that the crew were put on board the German merchantman Locksun lying in the harbor.
Accept [etc.]