File No. 654.119/198
The Acting Secretary of State to the Swiss Minister ( Sulzer )
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of April 24 in which you enumerate the terms under which the Imperial German Government will grant safe conduct to vessels engaged in the transportation of supplies to Switzerland.
[Page 1612]In reply I have the honor to inform you that the terms for the granting of the safe conduct are acceptable to this Government, provided the United States Government receives through you definite assurances that all submarine commanders have received the necessary instructions from the Imperial German Government guaranteeing safe conduct to these vessels before such vessels sail for Cette. An exception, however, must be made in respect to the former Dutch vessels Bellatrix, Alcor, and Merak which, according to a decision already reached, will proceed under proper convoy to an Atlantic port in France there to deliver their cargoes.
In spite of this decision, the Government of the United States will allow one of these vessels to proceed to Cette under the terms of safe conduct described in your note, provided the assurances mentioned above are received by this Government before this vessel sails.
Accept [etc.]