The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Page)
3968. Your 5041, October 18, and 5052, October 20. Department does not understand why British Government should expect an official statement of facts about German submarine U–53. Department made no report to Germany in regard to British ships’ being stationed practically at entrance of New York Harbor during first year of war, nor of visits of Allied warships to our ports apparently for purpose of obtaining information, such as visit of British cruiser to San Diego and other Pacific Coast waters, visit of Admiral Aube to Tampa, Florida, and visit of French ships Descartes and Condé to San Juan and Porto Rican waters, nor have we made any statement to Germany regarding operations of British ships off the Philippine Islands, sometimes even in Philippine waters, in search for German civilians. This Government did, however, make a statement to the German Government as to cases of British warships receiving supplies and information from our ports at beginning of war, but this was done only in response to German request.
It is a matter of common knowledge that Allied ships can be found patrolling off the North Atlantic coast at all times. We protested against the hovering of these cruisers so close to territorial waters, but the British Government replied that they could not abandon any of their belligerent rights, adding, however, that instructions had been given to British ships not to approach Ambrose Light nearer than six miles. According to our advices, Allied ships are still examining neutral ships off our coasts. In this connection it will be recalled that the operations of U–53 were 50 to 60 miles from shore.
[Page 781]This Department and the Navy Department are giving careful consideration to the subject of preventing in future belligerent warships of any description or nationality obtaining information from our ports, as under present regulations it is impossible, if warships visit neutral ports, to prevent them from obtaining newspapers and general information in regard to shipping. In considering this subject this Government must have in mind not only its obligation as a neutral, but also its interests as a possible belligerent in some future war.
There is no reason why this subject should not be frankly discussed informally, but Department is not disposed to make any voluntary statement on the subject at present. I had an informal and pleasant confidential talk with the British Ambassador, and in substance stated this position.
Story in regard to destroyer being withdrawn believed to be exaggerated and misunderstood. Department may report to you later on this subject when it has all the facts.
If it is felt that American naval vessels should not have assisted in rescuing the passengers and crews of the vessels sunk by the U–53, as by such action they assisted belligerent operations, it can only be said that neither public nor private vessels of the United States can be deaf to the demands of humanity even though those demands should be the result of belligerent operations that are distasteful to them.