File No. 841.711/2477
The Secretary of State to the Consul at Christiania ( Ifft)
Sir: The Department acknowledges the receipt of your despatch No. 38 of February 12, 1918, enclosing three envelopes addressed to [Page 1757] you as follows: “The American Consul, Christiania, Norway.”1 You call the Department’s attention to the fact that these envelopes have been opened by the British censorship authorities and suggest that a protest be made in the premises.
In reply you are informed that, inasmuch as neither international law nor established practice exempts consular correspondence from censorship no exception can be taken to the action of which you complain.
Under this Government’s regulations all correspondence to or from foreign consuls in the United States other than that addressed to or emanating from their governments, is subject to censorship. The extention of reciprocal courtesies to American consuls abroad is expected of foreign governments. Failure on the part of a foreign government to extend these courtesies to you should be reported.
I am [etc.]
- Not printed.↩