File No. 763.72/1107
The Ambassador in France (Herrick) to the Secretary of State
American Embassy,
Paris,
October 9, 1914.
[Received October 20.]
No. 704]
Sir: Confirming my telegram No. 184 of this
date,1 relative to
the placing of submarine mines in the Adriatic Sea, I have the honor to
transmit herewith a copy and translation, together with its enclosure,
of a note from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, giving the text or the
advice inserted in the Journal officiel in regard
thereto.
I have [etc.]
[Enclosure—Translation]
The French Minister of Foreign
Affairs to the American Ambassador in France
(Herrick)
The Minister of Foreign Affairs has the honor to transmit to his
excellency the Ambassador of the United States, the accompanying
notification made in conformity with the stipulation of Article 3,
paragraph 2, of the eighth convention of The Hague, 1907, relative
to the use of submarine mines.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Bordeaux
,
October 6, 1914.
[Subenclosure—Translation]
Notice published in the “Journal officiel”
Automatic mines having been sown in the Adriatic Sea by the
Austro-Hungarian Navy, the French naval forces have been obliged to
resort to similar measures in the said sea.
However, in order to avoid that inoffensive neutral ships should
suffer harm such as has been unjustly caused by the Austro-Hungarian
mines, the mines laid down by the French Navy are in conformity with
the provisions stipulated by the eighth convention of The Hague,
1907.
The zone that is dangerous to navigation, comprises the territorial
waters of the Austro-Hungarian Kingdom and the channels between the
islands along the coast of Dalmatia.
Notice is hereby given to all whom it may concern, in conformity with
Article 3, paragraph 2 of the aforesaid convention.
Approved:
The Minister for Marine,
Victor Augagneur
Attest:
The Vice Admiral Chief of Staff,
Pivet
