862.85/1000: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Wallace)
262. For Rathbone.
Your 165, January 17, 5 p.m., R–221. Your 1st. Please notify your colleague for Belgian Minister of Railroads that bids have been asked by the Shipping Board on German liners owned by the United [Page 517] States but there is no agreement included to accept offers which may be made. For your Confidential information we hear that there is no immediate intention of selling these ships but offers were asked for the purpose of establishing therefrom a reasonable market price.
Your 2d. Also for your Confidential information this government, here and in Paris, has always maintained that good title was acquired by the seizure of the vessels. Further information as to legal basis of title and our views of general future policy to be followed will be sent you after views of all departments of the Government are coordinated.
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Davis concurs.