File No. 341.622a/125a

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

[Telegram]

3298. Department’s 3264, May 1, 6 p. m. I should have informed you that on April 19 I wrote an informal note to the British Ambassador calling attention to the report that the American steamer Henry S. sailing between Mindanao and Balabac was stopped on March 16 by a British cruiser, the cargo and papers examined, boxes and cases opened, and engineer Weinert and boatswain Voik removed as prisoners of war because they had no citizenship papers.

As I regard this as a most serious incident and as I have only received a note stating that a report has been called for, I wish you would treat this case as you have the China and Ausable cases and press for the immediate release of the men concerned.

Lansing