File No. 763.72111/733a
The Acting Secretary of State to the Secretary of the Treasury ( McAdoo )
Washington , October 27, 1914.
Sir: This Department has received the information that it is customary at certain of the principal ports, if not at all ports, to exhibit the manifests of departing vessels to any person making request to examine such manifests, and that consular officers of belligerent governments are constantly obtaining this information presumably for the purpose of advising the warships of their countries as to vessels carrying contraband destined to belligerent ports or to neutral ports near belligerent territory.
Though this custom of opening to public inspection manifests of departing vessels has become general and in ordinary circumstances is entirely proper, the use to which such information may be put in view of the recent enforcement of the rule that a full manifest must be filed before clearance, raises a question as to the desirability of discontinuing the practice while a state of war exists, since it would seem to furnish information which would be valuable in directing [Page 332] belligerent warships off our coasts as to their operations in intercepting vessels carrying contraband.
I submit the foregoing question to you for your consideration and would appreciate it if you would advise me at your earliest convenience of your views in regard to this subject and the action, if any, which you would deem it expedient and proper to take.
I have [etc.]