File No. 763.72111Ap4/6a
The Secretary of State to the Secretary of the Treasury (McAdoo)
Confirming the telephonic message sent to your Department by this Department to the effect that, subject to the immigration laws and regulations, the collector of customs at Norfolk be instructed immediately to request the commander of the Appam to release at once from his ship all those persons who desire to be released and who came in on the ship, except the prize officer and prize crew, including any persons who have been incorporated into such prize crew or acted as a part of said prize crew in the navigation of the ship, and referring to your telephonic message and letter to the effect that the prize master raises no objection to the release of persons on his ship except the officers and crews of the Appam and of the ships which resisted capture by the German raider, I have the honor to suggest that a formal demand be made upon the prize master to release immediately all persons on board except those mentioned in my first telephonic message, recited above, on pain of such action by the Government of the United States as may be necessary to secure compliance with such demand.