File No. 763.72111/204
The French Ambassador (Jusserand) to the Secretary of State
Washington, September 21, 1914.
[Received September 23.]
[Translation]
Mr. Secretary of State: My Government has been informed that, in the early part of the month of August last, the American steamer Riopasig cleared from Manila for Guam, a neutral port, with a cargo of 4,000 tons of coal, and has since heard that the ship merely called at Guam without landing the coal and is supposed to have turned southward, presumably to resupply German war vessels.
Such acts being contrary to the rules of neutrality and likely eventually to entail serious consequences for the vessel concerned, I have, by order of my Government, the honor to bring the foregoing information which it has received to your excellency’s knowledge.
Be pleased to accept [etc.]