841.8595/57

The British Ambassador (Halifax) to the Secretary of State

No. 935
(148/17/41)

His Majesty’s Ambassador presents his compliments to the Secretary of State and has the honour to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of the Department’s note No. 841.8595/51 of October 6th stating that the Secretary of State sees no objection to the proposal to permit British military personnel on board British merchant vessels to serve as watchmen against sabotage while in United States ports.

[Page 396]

Lord Halifax is instructed to thank the Department for their acceptance of this proposal, and to confirm that it is fully understood that such guards as may be assigned for duty on British registered vessels by the masters thereof will not interfere in any way with the right of Coast Guard officers and men to board the vessels at will in carrying out their official duties, that such guards will not interfere with the duties of any other officers of the Federal Government or the State or local Governments presently exercised by those officers in carrying out their official functions, and that the military status of the guards will in no way affect the right of American Courts to take jurisdiction in the event of disturbances occurring in territorial waters of the United States.