File No. 763.72/1039
The Acting Secretary of State to the Consul at Aix-la-Chapelle (Thompson)
Washington, October 20, 1914.
No. 14]
Sir: The Department has received your communication of September 17, 1914, in regard to alleged acts of cruelty and reprisals in the present war in Europe.
You say that you hope to be able to make investigation of such charges.
You will at once discontinue any investigations which you may have begun and you will make no reports and will express no opinions in these matters. You are the Consul of a neutral nation and as such should not take any action in the interest of either of the countries at war which would subject you or this Government to adverse criticism.
Your communications to the Department in future should be in the form which the Department has prescribed.
I am [etc.]