gena to the representatives of the purchaser. I am informed that he is now on his way there for this purpose. The conditions prescribed by the Department of Justice are these: that the purchase money be deposited in trust until the passage of the Trading with the Enemy Act, and after the passage of that act administered by the proper authorities, according to the terms of that act. These conditions have been made known to the HamburgAmerican Line and are part of the contract of sale. I will appreciate your instructing our Consul at Cartagena, so that he may understand the transaction and assist the representatives of the purchaser to secure the vessels. Yours very truly, EDWARD N. HURLEY File No. 195.2/1207a The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in Colombia (Belden) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, September 28, 1917, 5 p. m. United States Government has approved sale of German steamers Albingia and Virginia now Cartagena by Hamburg-American Line to Edward Geer who has transferred them to Jason Navigation Corp., of New York. Geer has sent Captains Farrington and Edmonson to take delivery at Cartagena. They are due September 28, and Department has cabled Consul stating that Department of Commerce has asked that he be instructed to issue provisional registry to above-mentioned steamers, Virginia under name of Jason and Albingia under name of Argonaut. Should Colombian authorities make any objections to vessels leaving Cartagena under American flag, you may inform Government that sale and change of registry made with approval United States Government.1 POLK File No. 763.72112/4993 The British Ambassador (Spring Rice) to the Secretary of State WASHINGTON, October 1, 1917. MY DEAR MR. SECRETARY: From certain letters which have been intercepted by the British censorship (of which I can furnish you with photographic copies if desired) it appears that remittances are being sent to Austria-Hungary through the intermediary of the 'The Chargé replied Oct. 17: "Government accepted sale without comment and advised Colombian authorities Cartagena to make no objections to departure of vessels." (File No. 195.2/1236.) Spanish Ambassador in Washington, although it is not established whether they are sent under cover of diplomatic privilege. In this connection I have been requested by my Government to ascertain what arrangements have been made by the United States Government in regard to the transmission of funds from this country to enemy and enemy-occupied territory. I should be very grateful if you would be so kind as to furnish me with the information for which my Government have asked. It may be of interest to add that about three weeks ago the Governor-General of Canada informed me that the Spanish Ambassador in Washington was receiving remittances from Canada for transmission to enemy-occupied Russian territory. I brought this to the attention of Señor Riaño, adding that it was the understanding of the Canadian authorities that the only channel for such remittances authorized by the Treasury was Messrs. Thomas Cook & Son, whereupon he assured me that he would in future refuse to undertake the transmission of funds from Canada. Believe me [etc.] (For the Ambassador) COLVILLE BARCLAY File No. 763.72112/4993 The Secretary of State to the British Ambassador (Spring Rice) WASHINGTON, October 17, 1917. MY DEAR MR. AMBASSADOR: In reply to your confidential letter of October 1, I hasten to inform you that although this Department had previously granted provisional authority to certain firms and charitable organizations to send money, subject to the observance of certain conditions and limitations, to enemy-occupied territory, these authorizations have now, through the provisions of the socalled Trading with the Enemy Act, automatically become nullified and no such funds can be transmitted until licenses are obtained from the War Trade Board. I shall be happy to inform you if and when such licenses are granted. With regard to the action of the Spanish Ambassador in Washington in sending funds abroad, I venture to inform you that he has been permitted to continue these remittances only at the special request of His Majesty the King of Spain, but that the Ambassador has already been asked to discontinue this practice as soon as the arrangements for this work have been completed and the necessary licenses obtained by the firms and charitable organizations which the Department proposes to recommend to the War Trade Board. As regards the forwarding of money to enemy territory, this has been permitted up to the enactment of the Trading with the Enemy Act, in limited sums only, to American citizens who were either prevented from leaving such territory through good and sufficient reason, or to enable them to depart. Each case has been carefully examined by the Legation at Berne, based upon reports from the Spanish Embassy in Berlin, the final decision resting with the Department. The Department will await authorization from the War Trade Board before acting upon future remittances of this nature. I am [etc.] ROBERT LANSING File No. 763.72112/5397 The Swedish Minister (Ekengren) to the Secretary of State Department of Austro Hungarian Interests No. 1989/14 WASHINGTON, November 5, 1917. [Received November 6.] SIR: Since this Royal Legation has taken charge of AustroHungarian interests in the United States various requests have been received from persons in this country to forward remittances to relatives in great need of assistance in Austria-Hungary. Such petitioners are advised that the Royal Legation does not transmit any money to Austria-Hungary but will accept the money for deposit only, and endeavor to have the competent AustroHungarian authorities extend aid to such relatives in distress up to the amount of the deposit. In this connection I have the honor to inform Your Excellency that the total sum of money received for assistance of persons in Austria-Hungary by this Legation from April to the end of October amounts to $16,165.95, which is on deposit at the Riggs National Bank in this city. Inasmuch as this relief action might be considered under the "Trading with the Enemy Act" (sec. 5-b) as a form of transfer of credit to a foreign government and as this Legation is prompted to act only in cases of actual distress and for the cause of humanity, I beg to request Your Excellency to kindly intervene to the extent. of having permission granted to this Legation to continue to accept money for the purpose above set forth. Accept [etc.] For the Minister: PATRIK REUTERSWÄRD File No. 763.72112/5610a The Secretary of State to the Diplomatic and Consular Officers No. 554 WASHINGTON, November 6, 1917. GENTLEMEN: The Department encloses for your information, and invites your especial attention to, an act of Congress approved October 6, 1917, entitled "An Act to Define, Regulate and Punish Trading with the Enemy, and for Other Purposes; "1 and an Executive order issued by the President on October 12, 1917, under the provisions of this act.2 In view of the fact that the administration of the act has by the Executive order mentioned been delegated to several boards and departments who are responsible for the practical application and interpretation of the act, and in view also of the serious consequences which may possibly result from ill-advised or conflicting interpretations of the act, the Department deems it advisable to caution you as to undertaking to interpret the provisions of this law and Executive order for those who may apply to you for information regarding them. In any particular case requiring the construction of the act, you will, if the importance of the case seems to warrant it, obtain the instructions of the Department before committing either yourselves or this Government in the matter. I am [etc.] ROBERT LANSING File No. 763.72112/5633 The Consul General at Saloniki (Horton) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] SALONIKI, November 22, 1917, 5 p. m. [Received November 23, 2.45 a. m.] Does the Government of the United States approve American firms having business relations with local firms on the EnglishFrench black list as having Austrian, Bulgarian, or Turkish connections? If not, what advice can I give them as to avoiding existing contracts whose fulfillment subjects American companies to repressive measures of English and French authorities? HORTON 1 1 40 Stat. L. 411, ch. 106. 2 Foreign Relations, 1917, Supplement 2, vol. II, p. 963. File No. 763.72112/5741 The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Saloniki (Horton) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, December 6, 1917. Your November 22. War Trade Board advises your question is covered by fact that Trading with Enemy Act applies to allies of enemy and that liability American firms in regard existing contracts would be determined by Greek laws but their liability cannot affect policy of War Trade Board. LANSING File No. 763.72112/5846 The Minister in Cuba (Gonzales) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] HABANA, December 11, 1917, 1 p. m. Legation deluged with requests by Americans for interpretation of Trading with Enemy [Act]. British subjects in foreign countries not controlled by British black list. Are American corporations and Americans doing business in Cuba on the same footing toward American black list as if in the United States? May debts be collected from checks cashed on, and goods held in storage be delivered to blacklisted people by Americans? There is pressing need of early elucidation. File No. 763.72112/5663 GONZALES The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Saloniki (Horton) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, December 12, 1917. Your November 22. Enemy Trading Act appears to make unlawful for individuals or concerns in the United States, except with license, to trade or have any form of business or commercial communication or intercourse, or dealings directly or indirectly with any (a) Individual or body of individuals of any nationality resident, or corporation incorporated within territory (including territory occupied by military or naval forces) of any nation at war with the United States, or an ally of such nation; |