811.114/1148
The British Ambassador (Geddes) to the Secretary of State
Sir: In the note which I had the honour to address to you on October 13th last I was able to notify you of the steps which were being taken by His Majesty’s Government for the purpose of restricting the smuggling of liquor into the United States by means of the fraudulent transfer of American vessels to the British registry.
I now have pleasure in informing you that the Government of Canada have intimated to His Majesty’s Government their desire to co-operate in this matter. They have accordingly issued new instructions to Registrars of Shipping in Canada regarding cases where an application is made to them to register a vessel which has been purchased from a United States citizen. These instructions are to the effect that unless the application for registry is [Page 590] supported by a certificate under the seal of the United States Shipping Board, authorising such transfer to British registry, all particulars in regard to the case in question must be forwarded to the competent department of the Canadian Government for instructions before any definite steps are taken for the transfer of the vessel in question.
I have [etc.]