File No. 763.72/3472
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in the Netherlands ( Langhorne)
[Telegram]
Washington,
March 13, 1917, 4 p.m.
438. Your 758, March 10, 10 a.m. As American vessels sailing for the barred zones are being armed for self-protection, please ascertain from the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether they will be allowed to enter and depart freely from Dutch ports. If the Minister does not desire to rule formally on this question, please obtain from him if possible an informal expression of opinion as to the probable attitude of his Government.
Lansing