811.114 Hillfern/132: Telegram
The Ambassador in Belgium (Morris) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 22—4 p.m.]
29. Embassy informed by the American Consul General at Antwerp this morning that steamship Hillfern was under steam and ready to leave Antwerp and that the captain of the vessel had stated that it was his intention to proceed immediately to waters adjacent to the United States and to remain there until he had discharged his cargo of alcohol into rum runners.
Sussdorff called on de Lantsheere14 immediately and urged that Belgian Government find some means of stopping the shipment of the cargo of alcohol, pointing out that official and public sentiment in the United States would be outraged if this vessel were allowed to sail a second time with this cargo of alcohol obviously destined for smuggling into the United States.
De Lantsheere replied that the Belgian Government had made a careful investigation and could find nothing on which it could justify the detention of vessel or the cargo. He said that the vessel had been detained for 2 days on flimsy pretexts but that no legal means of preventing its departure could be found.
Sussdorff suggested that the Belgian authorities cross-examine thoroughly the officers and crew of the Hillfern and examine the ship’s papers especially the radio log but de Lantsheere demurred and said the Belgian authorities would be unwilling to proceed with such an investigation unless the British Consul General were willing to state in writing that the British Government had no objection.
This information was immediately telephoned to the American Consul General at Antwerp.
In view of the Department’s telegram No. 10 of March 10, 6 p.m., I am not sure of the precise position of the Department in the matter nor to what extremes it wishes me to go. If the Department is desirous of going to the limit, then I ask for instructions accordingly and suggest that the Secretary of State also “put on the spot” the Belgian Ambassador in Washington and “read him the riot act” so that he can report to Brussels that the American Government is scandalized.
- The Viscount de Lantsheere, Chef de Cabinet of the Belgian Ministry for Foreign Affairs.↩