File No. 451.11B74/7

The Ambassador in France ( Sharp ) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

594. Following the presentation to the Minister for Foreign Affairs yesterday afternoon of a note in conformity with your telegram 600, March 3 [2], 2 p. m.,2 I referred informally to seizure of Dacia. Monsieur Delcassé said in substance that Dacia was considered as an enemy’s vessel according to laws of France which did not recognize change of flag after commencement of hostilities; crew had been released as neutrals; French Government was not disposed to examine closely the possibility of enemy ownership of cargo and that probably shipper would be given choice of cargo being sent to destination or paid for here.3 He said that the French Government was most anxious to avoid any inconvenience to American citizens.

Sharp
  1. Post, p. 747.
  2. The cargo of cotton had been insured by the Bureau of War Risk Insurance; its value was eventually paid over by the French Government to the Treasury of the United States. Correspondence on this aspect of the case is not printed.