File No. 763.72112/382
The Acting Secretary of State to the British Ambassador (Spring Rice)
Washington, December 1, 1914.
My dear Mr. Ambassador: I beg to call your attention to the fact that there has been brought to the notice of the Department a copy of the following communication which appears to have been addressed by the British Consul General at Philadelphia to an American firm in that city:
I have received from His Britannic Majesty’s Government an instruction to urge upon all shipping agents in this port the advantage to be gained by any of their vessels proceeding to Scandinavian ports, calling on their way at some British ports such as Falmouth, Lough Swilly or Kirkwall, thus avoiding the inconvenience and delay of being stopped and searched at sea it is of course understood by the above, that such ships have not committed any unneutral act.
I venture to call your attention to these instructions in order that any ships you may be despatching may avoid unnecessary detention.
I would be glad if you would inform me as to whether the Consul General is accurately advising American shippers in accordance with instructions from the British Government.
It does not seem to me clear that it would serve the purpose of avoiding delay and inconvenience incident to search at sea if persons interested in vessels sailing from this country to Scandinavian ports should see fit to take steps to have such vessels call en route at the ports named in the Consul General’s letter. Presumably it is the intention of your Government that vessels should call at these ports for the purpose of being searched. It appears to me that the inconvenience connected with an examination of a vessel in a port in this manner would be as great, if not greater than that resulting from the search of a vessel at sea, conducted in accordance with international law and custom, with proper regard for the rights and safety of the cargo and vessel detained.
I am [etc.]