File No. 195.1/84
The British Ambassador (Spring Rice) to the Counselor for the Department of State
Washington, September 26, 1914.
[Received September 28.]
Dear Mr. Counsellor: Acting under instructions I telegraphed to British consuls not to raise any difficulties in case of transfer to the American flag of a ship already, before the war, owned by Americans, it being understood that ships transferred in this manner will not be employed to trade with Germany or to supply Germany through Scandinavian or Dutch ports. In other cases of transfer, if asked, the consuls are to reply that the British prize courts will follow the rule in Article 56 of the declaration of the International Naval Conference of 1909.
I presume that the official action of British consuls is only required when the ship is transferred from the British to the American flag or vice versa. In the former case (as in the American regulations) there are certain guarantees to be taken for the British officers and seamen on board the former British ship.
[Page 495]The Consul at Rio was instructed of the above view of His Majesty’s Government as to American-owned ships, but the Robert Dollar apparently had already left.
As you are aware, many such transfers have taken place, the companies concerned having made, themselves, the necessary arrangements for the officers and seamen.
I am [etc.]