123 S1 1/83
The Secretary of State to the British Chargé ( Chilton )
Sir: I beg to refer to your note of July 18, 1922,29 in which you inform me that the British Government contemplates withdrawing the exequatur of the American Consul at Newcastle-on-Tyne and the recognition of the American Vice Consul there, on August 18. In your note, you state that this action is to be taken by your Government because the American Consulate at Newcastle-on-Tyne has been attempting to divert passengers from British to American lines by making difficulties over the issue of visas for the United States to passengers not travelling by American lines and, further, by hinting that inconvenience is likely to be encountered in the United States unless the passengers travel by American lines. Your note further states that the action of the British Government is being deferred until August 18, in the belief that this Government may prefer to remove these officers of its own accord.
[Page 394]In view of the fact that the British Government has seen fit to specify the reasons which have prompted its contemplated action in this matter, I have caused a careful investigation to be made of the alleged improper activities of these American Consular officers.
The reports, supported by affidavits, that I have received, as a result of this investigation, do not appear to substantiate the allegations against the American Consular officers set forth in your note, and therefore, in justice to Mr. Slater and to Mr. Brooks, this Government will be unable voluntarily to transfer these officers from their present post.
As the British Government, by enumerating its complaints against these American Consular officers, apparently invited an investigation of these complaints by this Government, and a discussion of their sufficiency, I trust that the British Government will not follow the course of action suggested in your note before submitting to this Government specific evidence to support the allegations that have been made and before an opportunity has been afforded for the presentation of the views of this Government in the light of such evidence.
Accept [etc.]
- Not printed.↩