File No. 300.115/3187a
The Secretary of State to the Consul General at London (Skinner)
Ogeechee evidently carried mixed cargo consisting of numerous shipments. Department has by now received approximately a hundred complaints from American consignees regarding detention of goods which they desire have promptly released. In numerous instances it appears American merchants have already contracted for sale of detained goods, which, in the opinion of this Government, are held by British authorities without legal warrant. While it seems probable title to all shipments has passed to American citizens, it should be borne in mind that according to the Declaration of Paris, to which all the belligerents appear to be parties, the neutral flag covers enemy’s goods with the exception of contraband of war. And there is of course no question as to the destination of these goods.
In view these facts and in view of the delay in connection with proceedings in cases of steamers Kim, Alfred Nobel, Björnstjerne Björnson and Fridland , which delay it appears from enclosure with your despatch of April 141 is due largely to fact that there are numerous shipments on these vessels, it would seem to Department probable that British authorities might desire avoid having these shipments remain in prize court for adjudication provided some other satisfactory means of dealing with the situation could be adopted.
The prompt release which you succeeded in effecting of automobile belonging to Elizabeth Babcock, as reported your telegram April 26,2 also suggests possibility British authorities might be willing to effect arrangement for release of the detained shipments without prize-court proceedings.
The Department would like to have you appropriately take up this matter with proper British authorities and, without indicating in any way that this Government concedes that goods in question are legally detained, ascertain whether some arrangement for their prompt release might be effected, pointing out the desirability this be done in the interest of the numerous shippers as well as in interest of Government of the United States and Government of Great Britain.