File No. 300.115/5143
The Consul General at London (Skinner) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 10.]
Sir: I have the honor to enclose herewith a list of ships detained at Kirkwall, which I have received from the American consular agent at that place covering arrivals and departures during the month of July.1
[Page 542]It will be observed that the number of detentions is notably less than it was during the first weeks following the application of the order in council of March 11, 1915. It seems to be the case that shipping interests are adjusting themselves to this order in council and that we shall have fewer difficulties in the future than we have had in the past. I continue to believe that if the British Government would undertake to pay demurrage when they find it necessary to detain vessels, which are subsequently allowed to proceed, and would otherwise arrange to handle cargo promptly and without expense to innocent shipping interests, a very great step would have been made to allay irritation.
I have [etc.]
- Not printed.↩