File No. 855.48/589
The Swiss Minister (Ritter) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 4.]
Interests Doss XVIII
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I have to-day received a cablegram from my Government regarding the safe-conducts issued [Page 662] by this Legation to the captains of the steamers of the Commission for Relief in Belgium, in which I am requested to point out most expressly to the captains of the ships that they must avoid the German blockade zone under all circumstances, and that the safe-conducts issued by this Legation contain a stipulation to this effect. Safe-conducts are not valid within the blockade zone. I am communicating this information to the Commission for Relief in Belgium at New York and shall also take steps to insure that the captains of the steamers are in every case instructed accordingly.
Accept [etc.]