File No. 763.72111/4976
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Chile ( Shea)
Ascertain from Chilean Government what its attitude would be toward vessels calling for nitrates at Chilean ports, which vessels are owned by the United States Government but operated by the Panama Railroad Co., the carriage on the nitrates to be paid by the Government in same manner as carriage on supplies on any other commercial vessels entering United States ports, engaged in commerce and submitting to rules and regulations of neutral ports applicable to merchant ships not flying naval or transport flag, not armed and not under command of naval or army officers.
Such vessels have not been regarded by United States Government, when it was neutral, as properly subject to internment.