File No. 763.72111/3332
The Secretary of State to the Secretary of War (Baker)
Sir: Replying to your letter of January 13,1 quoting a message from the Governor General of the Philippine Islands, who requests to be informed as to the attitude to be taken in regard to the S. S. Empire, which is expected to arrive at Manila with 75 officers and men, composing a guard for war prisoners transported on this ship from Hongkong to Australia, I have the honor to state that in the view of this Department the presence of this crew on board this vessel on the return trip serves to preserve to her the character of a military transport, which she had on her outward voyage, and that therefore, the 24-hour rule should be applied to her stay in the port of Manila.
I have [etc.]
- Not printed.↩