File No. 763.72112/2305

The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Page)

No. 3374

Sir: The Department is in receipt of your No. 3093, of February 19, 1916, reporting facts which have presented themselves with reference [Page 356] to goods belonging to American citizens which have been detained by the British authorities and placed in the prize court.

In this relation there is enclosed herewith for your information a copy of the letter sent by the Department to the William Amer Company under date of March 9, 1916.

With a view to having the Consul General render such assistance as may be possible and proper in an endeavor to bring about the release of goods which have been seized by the British authorities, the Department has addressed similar communications to other American shippers who have complained respecting the seizure of goods shipped by them to European ports.

I am [etc.]

Frank L. Polk
[Enclosure]

File No. 341.115Am322/2

The Secretary of State to the William Amer Company

Gentlemen: The Department has received your letter of March 1, 1916, in regard to the seizure by the British authorities of a quantity of glazed kid shipped by you to Sweden on the S. S. Alexandria.

The Department encloses for your information, a print containing an order in council issued by the British Government March 11, 1915, regarding the stopping of goods shipped to or from Germany. This order, which is at present the subject of diplomatic discussion between the Government of the United States and the Government of Great Britain, shows the action which the British Government declare their intention to take in the matter of stopping goods coming within the provisions of the order, and also the steps which they desire to have taken by interested persons to obtain the restoration of their goods or payment therefor.

The American Consul General has informed the Department that, if shippers will communicate with him directly regarding shipments which have been detained under this order in council, he will ascertain the status of the goods, and, when possible, endeavor to effect their release. The Consul General states that, even though goods may be classified as contraband, the procurator general will consider evidence indicating innocent ultimate destination of such goods, and has advised him (the Consul General) to obtain, wherever possible, original correspondence with buyers or consignors. The Consul General further states that when claims for goods are submitted through the Consulate General there is always hope that the release of the property will follow without formal proceedings or expense, and that if such release is not brought about, the papers in any given case in which prize court proceedings may be instituted may be turned over to British solicitors. The Consul General points out that in all cases it is futile to forward requests for release of goods unsupported by documentary history showing the ownership and destination of the consignment which it is sought to have released. The procurator general has suggested that the papers which should be presented are the originals of invoices, contracts, insurance policies, bills of lading, all correspondence with concerns in the country to which the goods are shipped, and an affidavit setting forth the facts in a given case.

As has just been stated, the order in council regarding the stopping of goods shipped to or from Germany is at present the subject of diplomatic discussion between the Government of the United States and the Government of Great Britain. And neither anything contained in this letter nor any action of the Consul General in connection with his efforts to bring about the release of goods which have been detained should be construed as an admission on the part of the Government of the United States of the legality of the action taken by the British Government under this order.

It is suggested that you might deem it advisable to communicate directly with the Consul General regarding the shipment referred to in your letter. [Page 357] On the other hand, if these goods have been sent to the prize court, it may be well for you to take prompt steps to establish your rights before the court. The Department can not undertake to assist private persons in the conduct of proceedings before the court.

Should you desire to consult private counsel in England regarding this matter, the American Consul General at London will doubtless be able to furnish you on your request with the names of a number of reputable attorneys one of whom may be employed in the matter. It should be stated in this connection, however, that obviously neither the Consul General nor the Department can be responsible for the integrity or ability of any lawyer who may be employed as a result of the information furnished by the Consul General.

I am [etc.]

For the Secretary of State:
Alvey A. Adee

Second Assistant Secretary