The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France ( Herrick )
Washington , August 8, 1914, noon.
[Telegram]
Yours, August 7, noon. The bill in question does not cover the subject of the transfer of the ships of belligerents to citizens of the [Page 486] United States but deals only with the subject of American registry and removes the restriction on ships over five years old and authorizes President to dispense by proclamation with regulation confining watch officers to American citizens, survey and measurement of ships.
The transfer of the ships of belligerents to neutrals during hostilities is not touched by the bill and will be governed by the principles of international law and usage as heretofore.