File No. 341.622a/120
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Page)
3285. Your 4252, May 5. Please state to Sir Edward Grey informally that I am gratified that the British Government have reached the conclusion that they should release the men taken from the American steamer China by the Laurentic. Remind him, however, that the American protest will not, in the opinion of this Government, be fully met unless, in addition to the release of the men, the British Government apologizes for the affront to the American flag or wholly repudiates the act of their commander. Intimate also informally that, as this Government’s communication was in the nature of a formal protest, it is supposed that his reply will be formal instead of by memorandum and that I hope he will not open the question of seizure of enemy reservists from American vessels, as this Government is not prepared to admit the right and prefers to await discussion of it until an actual case occurs.