The Collector of Customs at San Francisco (Davis) to the Secretary of the Treasury (McAdoo)
[Telephoned to the Department of State by the Treasury Department, August 20 [21], 1914, 9:50 a.m.]
[Telegram]
Concerning my telegram 19th, also 20th and this date,1 regarding the steamer Mazatlan which has applied for clearance to Guaymas, Mexico, having on board 500 tons of coal that was bought, sacked and prepared for delivery to the cruiser Leipzig, proposition has been submitted as follows:
Acting German Consul has offered to give written statement that this coal is an excess supply inadvertently purchased in connection with coaling the Leipzig in this harbor recently, and guarantees that the coal will be delivered in Guaymas. The German Consul denies the jurisdiction of the United States requesting the disposition of this coal after it is landed in Guaymas. Shipowner volunteers to give a bond in double the amount of the value of the coal, guaranteeing delivery in Guaymas. A large and particularly perishable cargo is on the vessel which is now in the stream awaiting clearance.
In view of this assurance of the German Consul and the bond given by the, steamship company, unless otherwise directed by the Department, Mazatlan will be cleared 9 o’clock to-morrow morning. I have delayed this clearance of this vessel to conduct an investigation of this specific shipment of coal, the history of which furnishes much evidence that it was intended for belligerent purposes in violation of neutrality.
- Telegrams of August 20 and 21 not printed.↩