Office of the Historian

File No. 763.72111/5140

The Swiss Minister ( Ritter) to the Secretary of State

Department of German
Interests VII Prinz. 2
Washington, June 14, 1917.

Sir: In pursuance of instructions from the Swiss Foreign Office I have the honor to present for Your Excellency’s consideration the following questions concerning which the Imperial German Government desires to be informed.

1.
What treatment has been and is being accorded the crews of the German merchant vessels in ports of the United States, and [Page 224] what are the intentions of the Government of the United States in regard to the future status and treatment of these men?
2.
Is the Government of the United States prepared to apply to the crews of German merchant vessels the provisos of articles 6 and 7 of the eleventh Hague convention of October 18, 1907?

Accept [etc.]