File No. 763.72111/4410
The Secretary of State to the French Ambassador ( Jusserand)
My Dear Mr. Ambassador: It has been brought to this Department’s attention that on November 8 last, the French S. S. Mississippi fired on a submarine in the English Channel prior to warning or attack by the submarine. This report is virtually confirmed by the affidavits of the first lieutenant, the second captain, and the second lieutenant of the vessel, which is now at the port of New York. The following statement from the affidavit of the second lieutenant is pertinent: [Page 545]
My station was at the stern in command of the gun, and the captain told me to be prepared to fire at the submarine at a range of about 4,000 yards. The captain sent the second captain to the stern to instruct me to fire one shot when he gave the signal. The captain gave the signal by raising his hand and I fired one shot, and reloaded the gun and remained ready to fire another.
The facts before the Department indicate that this action was initiated by the Mississippi and therefore offensive in its nature—a circumstance which might well be regarded as placing this vessel in the class of offensively armed ships, to which this Government is firmly convinced the hospitality usually granted to merchantmen in United States ports may be denied. As, however, this is the first instance of the sort which has come to my Government’s notice, and out of regard to the possibility of a mistake in this case, the vessel will be allowed to depart as usual, on your Government’s assurance. I would, however, be remiss in my duty if I did not bring this case to your notice with the request that it be brought to your Government’s attention, with the opinion of my Government, as herein expressed.
In this relation I attach a copy of instructions said to have been issued by your Government to merchant sea captains, and in force in October and November last on French vessels.1 These instructions (if genuine) lay the armament on merchant vessels of France open at least to the inference that its purpose is for offensive attack on submarines of the enemy. I have, therefore, to ask that you be good enough to advise me at the earliest moment as to whether these instructions have been issued to the masters of French merchant vessels by your Government and are now in force. I would be grateful if you could inform me on these points as soon as possible.2
I am [etc.]
- Foreign Relations, 1916, Supplement, p. 318.↩
- There appears to have been no reply to this note.↩