File No. 841.711/2524
The Chargé in Great Britain ( Laughlin) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 20.]
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith, for the information of the Department, copy of a Foreign Office circular of May 31, 1918,1 [Page 1758] relative to the practice of His Majesty’s Government conceding privileges of exemption from censorship to postal packets passing this country in transit which bear the address of a foreign government department or of the diplomatic representative of a foreign country in a third state. Unfortunately, His Majesty’s Government have grounds for believing the concession in question has, in many instances, been seriously abused inasmuch as communications of a personal and business nature have been exchanged through the media of diplomatic missions in Germany under neutral official covers, thereby deceiving the Allied Governments.
His Majesty’s Government feel that it is no longer possible to continue the practice of exemption from censorship of such postal packets whenever there is reason to suspect that an abuse of the confidence of the British Government has been attempted, and at the same time notice is given that in future locked bags will no longer be handled by the British postal administration.
I have the honor to inquire whether the Department wishes me to make any representations on this matter to the British Government.
I have [etc.]
- Not printed.↩