File No. 763.72111/4391
The Ambassador in France ( Sharp) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 5, 8.30 a.m.]
1785. Your 1902, December 27, 3 p.m. Am informed by Foreign Office and Ministry of Marine informally that commissions in the Navy have not been issued to merchant marine officers. The press reports may have been due to advancement in rank of such officers in the reserve of the Navy which have recently been made. Naval attaché in reports dated November 7 and December 23, 1910, has reported to his Department fully on such propositions. It is also stated that it is not the intention to send vessels regularly between Bordeaux and Halifax.