File No. 811.741/269a
The Acting Secretary of State to the German Ambassador (Bernstorff)
Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your excellency’s communication (J. Nr. A 163) of January 12, transmitting a copy of Notification. No. 61, issued by the International Bureau of the Telegraphic Union, which states that radio stations in the United States are not permitted to receive or forward code and cipher messages from and to the belligerent nations.
Your excellency states that, as the Executive order of September 5, 1914, regarding the supervision of radio stations in this country, provides for the use of code and cipher telegrams exchanged with land stations in Europe, you would like to be informed whether, in view of the announcement by the International Bureau of the Telegraphic Union, any subsequent order amending the one of September 5 has been issued.
In reply I have the honor to advise your excellency that no subsequent Executive order amending the order of September 5, 1914, has been issued. Your excellency is informed, however, that radio messages in code or cipher are only permitted to be exchanged between diplomatic missions in this country and their respective governments, and then only when copies of code or cipher used have been deposited with the naval officials in charge of the radio stations through which the message is to be sent or received. All other radio messages must be sent in plain English language.
In compliance with your excellency’s request, I return, herewith, the notification of the International Bureau of the Telegraphic Union.
Accept [etc.]