862.85/933: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Commission to Negotiate Peace
3809. For Polk. Your 5200 of November 14.
- 1.
- The Imperator matter was taken up with the President by letter on November 5, and pushed in every way possible. A message was received from him on November 17 that he was not ready to consider the Imperator matter until he felt stronger. Lord Grey has been informed that for some time the question of the Imperator and other German ships has been before the President but that until now he has not been able to decide the matter but that it is hoped that he will decide in the near future. In order that a decision may be given we are doubling our efforts to impress the seriousness of the situation on the President and his assistants.
- 2.
- The Standard Oil Company has replied to our inquiry as to
their position on the proposition to allow the tankers to remain
in Hamburg pending a final decision as to ownership. The
following paragraph of their cable shows the substance of their
position:62
“We believe that in all the circumstances we are entitled to an immediate determination that the vessels belong to us and to have them turned over to us unconditionally. If final determination of question of title must be deferred we insist that we are in the meantime entitled to possession and use of vessels without prejudice to the ultimate determination of that question. We do not see how we can consistently consent to vessels lying idle in Hamburg.”
- 3.
- Notwithstanding the Standard Oil Company’s position, the Department stands by its position in its telegram No. 3674 of November 5, paragraph 3, although the Department believes that pending final determination of ownership, every effort should be made to bring about American possession and use of the D.A.P.G. tankers. The Department feels that the circumstances require our consent to the delivery of the 9 tankers claimed by the Standard Oil Company to the Firth of Forth and held there until allocated or until the question of title can be finally disposed of.
- 4.
- In this connection it would seem possible that the Shipping Board’s proposition quoted in paragraph 3 of our 3776 [3779] of November 15 might be acceptable to the Allies.
- 5.
- In response to the paraphrase of your 5200 sent to the
Shipping Board the following was today received from them:63
“In view of the very great need of tankers at this moment it does not seem to the Shipping Board wise that the Standard Oil tank ships should be set apart in the Firth of Forth unused. Will it not be possible to effect an arrangement by which pending the final disposition as to ownership of the ships the tankers may be turned over to the United States for use without prejudice and the Imperator group of ships turned over to England subject to the ultimate decision as to ownership. This will place all of the ships in use and at the same time protect the rights of all.”