File No. 811.142/1602
The Ambassador in France (Sharp) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8 p. m.]
1412. Your 1486, April 27. Foreign Office replies that Ministry of Marine regrets that very serious military reasons which prevented acquiescing to American Government’s previous request of a like nature already explained (see my telegram 1344,2 April 4, 7 p. m.) apply equally to a vessel coming out of a blockaded port and returning immediately, as such trip would allow a reconnaissance from [Page 930] which the military and naval forces of the powers at war with France would not fail to profit, whatever dispositions might be taken by the American Government or the French naval authorities.