File No. 763.72114/3660
The Minister in Switzerland ( Stovall) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 27, 11.25 p.m.]
3456. Communication signed jointly by following officers of mercantile marine service, Antone Olsen, Hilmar Richardson, Charles Bowman, Robert Trudgett, Arnold Blom, Edward B. Moore, Adolf Colstad and Matthew Buckard, prisoners at Heidelberg, transmitted by Spanish Embassy, Berlin, asks following information:
- (1)
- What is status of such officers and seamen as prisoners and to what privileges are they entitled?
- (2)
- What arrangement made concerning payments of salaries or proportion thereof, and shall payment date from time of original capture on high seas or date of landing as prisoners?
- (3)
- What arrangement for Red Cross relief, communication with owners, bankers, agents, or relatives?
- (4)
- Eligibility for repatriation on ground of age and incapacity.
They state they are satisfied with treatment and consideration of German authorities. Accompanying note from Imperial Department of Foreign Affairs states that in absence of agreement these men are treated as officers and interned in camp as long as they can provide for their own maintenance. Documents follow by mail. Please advise what action to take. Food has been sent regularly by American Red Cross and acknowledgment received from all except one.