862.85/966
The British Ambassador (Geddes) to the Secretary of State
Sir: By instruction from Earl Curzon of Kedleston, I have the honour once again to revert to the question of the Imperator and the seven other German passenger ships which, after serving for the repatriation of American troops, should have been handed over to the Agents of His Britannic Majesty’s Government. Hitherto the Imperator alone has been so handed over. The remaining seven are still unjustifiably withheld. I am therefore instructed, in view of the pressing British Empire need of ships for repatriation purposes, to call your attention once again to this matter and to urge upon you the great importance of causing these vessels to be handed over at an early date to the British authorities.
It has been intimated to me that these seven vessels will be so handed over if and when the German tank vessels are handed over to the American authorities. If such is indeed the position of the United States Government I beg once again to state the view of my Government, that the two questions, of the German tank vessels and of the German passenger ships are entirely distinct, and that they are not susceptible of being connected with each other.
I have [etc.]