File No. 862.85/610
The Ambassador in Argentina ( Stimson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8.10 p.m.]
British Minister told me last night that the Minister of Foreign Affairs had just approached him saying that Argentine Government intended to dispatch the ex-German vessel Bahia Blanca to London, and that the [Government?] supposed there [would] be no objection to the status of the steamer. British Minister replied that as far as his opinion was concerned the steamship would be regarded as enemy property and not protected by the Argentine flag. Minister for [Page 1752] Foreign Affairs replied that he was surprised; that the steamer had been purchased by the Argentine Government in its sovereign capacity and the United States Government was making no objection, as the matter had been arranged through Naón. The British Minister closed by telling the Minister for Foreign Affairs that he must make the inquiry of the British Government directly. An hour later the Assistant Secretary of Marine came to the British Legation to inquire what board in London had charge of inter-Ally shipping; from this the British Minister inferred that it was now proposed to dispatch her under a British charter.
It is not supposed that she can be repaired in time for December sailing.