War Trade Board Files: Shipping and Tonnage, Switzerland, Vol. II
The French Deputy High Commissioner ( De Billy) to the Chairman of the War Trade Board ( McCormick)
Dear Mr. Chairman: Pursuant to conversation between yourself and Major Grimprel I beg to inform you that I have received the following information from my Government.
The Swiss Legation in Paris has informed the French Government that the German Government has declared its willingness to charter to the Federal Government four German ships at present in Spanish ports, and of 30,000 tons capacity. The charter of two of these vessels is limited to ten months; after that they would be replaced by some German ships at present in the Dutch East Indies; the charter of the other two ships would last till the conclusion of peace. These vessels would sail under the Swiss flag, and could under no pretext be employed in the interests of any belligerent nation.
The Federal Government requests us to refrain from stopping, seizing, carrying off or interfering in any way with these ships or their cargoes, and to give the assurance that these boats will obtain the coal and supplies that they need in their ports of call, in order that they may complete their voyages and return to Germany on the conclusions of peace. Finally the Federal Government requests that the French Government shall permit the transit of the goods imported [Page 1657] by these ships. The same request has been presented simultaneously in London, Paris and Washington.
The French Government is answering the Swiss Legation that they can not at this time consider any combination which would allow an enemy Government to dispose of ships flying its flag and which are in refuge in neutral ports. They at the same time request me to ascertain the views of the American Government, and I shall be obliged if you would kindly let me have the same.
I am [etc.]