Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1914, Supplement, The World War

T. D. 34718

Treasury Department,
Washington, August 20, 1914.

[Telegram]

To Collectors of Customs (all sea and lake ports):

Department’s instructions, 10th instant (T. D. 34693),1 are hereby supplemented as follows:

1.: Collectors of customs are charged with the duty of preventing violations of the neutrality laws, but may call upon the Revenue Cutter Service or officers of the Navy or Army for such force and assistance as may be necessary.
2.: Vessels of war will not be permitted to take on coal or other supplies without permission from the collector of customs.
3.: Collectors will apply to officers of the Revenue Cutter Service or Navy for advice as to the quantity of coal and other supplies that may be taken by such vessel.
4.: All matters concerning radio communication involving neutrality shall be referred to the commander of a naval radio station or of a naval vessel at your port. If there be no such station or vessel at your port you will follow instructions of Navy Department issued August 6, 1914,2 and if necessary to enforce these instructions you will seal up the wireless room and apparatus of any merchant vessel of a belligerent power, the seals to remain until the vessel’s departure.
5.: In case of war vessels you will notify their commanders that same can not be used while in port.

W. G. Mcadoo

Secretary