859.85/583
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Legal Adviser (Hackworth)
| Participants: | The Danish Minister |
| Mr. Long, Mr. Hackworth and Mr. Saugstad36 | |
| Judge Townsend37 and Mr. Shoemaker,38 Department of Justice | |
| Captain Chalker,39 Coast Guard (Treasury Department) | |
| Captain Schuirmann,40 Navy Department |
It was agreed at the meeting at the Treasury Department on March 31 that a conference should be arranged with the Danish Minister as soon as possible to discuss the situation with respect to the crews on the Danish ships of which protective control had been taken by the Coast Guard on Sunday, March 30. Accordingly, a conference was arranged for 10:30 this morning.
The Danish Minister stated for a background that approximately a third of the Danish ships are now tied up in the Baltic ports, that more than a third are operating with the British Government, and that the remaining vessels are in neutral ports—36 in ports of the United States. He stated that there are little more than skeleton crews on the vessels at the present time, many of the original members having shipped on other vessels. He was of the opinion that the captains of the ships had retained the pick of the crews, keeping the number down as far as possible to reduce the costs to the owners while the ships are tied up; that they are all trustworthy and that no one of them would harm his ship under any circumstances, not even under threats from the government in occupation of Denmark.
Captain Chalker stated that instead of a thousand members, as originally estimated by the Coast Guard, there are but 470 officers and men on board the ships. Mr. Gaston, of the Treasury Department, had expressed the view by telephone that not more than 5 or 6 men should be retained on board to assist the Coast Guard in the operation of machinery, etc. The Minister was of the opinion that skilled labor was an important factor in the upkeep of the ships and was fearful that if too few people were kept aboard damage to the ships might [Page 76] result. Judge Townsend expressed the view that if as many as 10 could be retained there would be fewer people to be cared for by the immigration authorities. Captain Chalker thought that it might be possible to retain as many as 10 if they were people in whom the Coast Guard could have complete confidence, but that it would be desirable that the number be determined by the requirements of each individual ship; that the Coast Guard would not undertake to operate the vessels but would desire to have on board a sufficient number of Danish engineers to handle the machinery when necessary. The largest number now on board any ship is 24.
The Minister thought that consultation with the Danish Consul in New York would be desirable and gave assurances that the Consul and the captains of the vessels would be most cooperative in passing upon the trustworthiness of members of the crews who might be left aboard ships. He didn’t think that the captains would find many who would not be satisfactory since they had already tried to get rid of people whom they did not like.
On the question as to whether the Danish Government or the shipowners would be willing to bear the expense of members of the crews who are removed from the vessels and in the custody of the immigration authorities, the Minister stated that it would be impossible for his Government to undertake the obligation and that it would also be difficult for the shipowners to do so in view of the fact that they have been under a heavy expense for a considerable period of time on account of the ships. He said that while the crews remained aboard ship the owners would of course look after them, but that they would consider that their obligation ceased when they were taken charge of by the immigration authorities. He thought that most of them would be able to ship on other vessels in the course of time.
There was some discussion as to possible operation of the vessels. The Minister was of the opinion that the only practical method would be requisition by the United States. He did not think that the German Government would stand for their operation under the Danish flag.
Captain Schuirmann raised a question regarding the four ships in the Philippines of which the Navy Department has taken charge. The Minister stated that he thought it would be dangerous for them to leave the Islands in a group, and said that there has been some discussion by the Maritime Commission of the possibility of sending one vessel to the United States as an experiment, but he was of the opinion that if one vessel should make the trip without interference the German Government would undoubtedly cause instructions to be sent to the masters of the others of such character as would render [Page 77] it almost impossible for them to sail. Captain Schuirmann said that there is no immigration service in the Philippine Islands to take charge of members of the crews. He thought that perhaps the Navy Department could arrange to feed and shelter them and that they might be allowed to go at large unless the Philippine Government should object. Mr. Hackworth suggested that the matter should be taken up with the American High Commissioner.
It was understood that Captain Chalker would discuss with Mr. Gaston and other people in the Treasury Department the situation with respect to the number of people to be kept on board vessels under control of the Coast Guard and that the information would be communicated to the Minister through the Department of State.