811.114/1634
The Secretary of State to the British Chargé (Chilton)
Sir: I have the honor to refer to my note dated July 3, 1923,26 in further reference to your note dated June 30, 1923, concerning the refusal of this Government to permit the Cunard Steamship Tuscania, which sailed July 2, 1923, from New York to Naples to carry the quantity of wine required by the laws of Italy for all vessels entering the ports of Italy with Italian steerage passengers aboard.
A communication has now been received from the competent authority of this Government stating that a general order has been addressed to the Surgeon General of the United States Public Health Service which reads in part as follows:
“You will advise the officers of the U. S. Public Health Service at the various ports that when the officers or authorities of any merchant vessel within the territorial waters of the United States shall make application for the privilege of using liquors for medicinal purposes under the provisions of T. D. 348427 (Form 1539), and the laws or regulations of the country of the home port or other competent authority governing such vessel shall prescribe a given quantity of liquor for medicinal purposes, such quantity shall be allowed by the U. S. Public Health officer in charge.”
It is believed that this order will more satisfactorily cover the situation for foreign vessels which enter the ports of the United States.
Accept [etc.]