CO129-417 - Public Offices - 1914 — Page 216

Copy

(49522).

Sir:-

C. O

EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF MEK752

LONDON, September 11th 1914.

TREC

REG:9 SEP 14

211

Pursuant to instructions from the secretary of State

I have the honour to acquaint you that an American Steam- ship, the "Havermetal" appears to have been captured on August 21st and taken to Hong Kong as a prize of war.

This vessel, formerly the German S.S. "Germania" was

purchased by one William Katz, an American citizen, at

Shanghai from the former owners Messrs. Jebson and Company

on July 12th 1913, a regular bill of sale for the trans-

action having been certified by the American Consul -

+

General at Shanghai and duly forwarded to the Department

of state at that time, where it was lodged with the

Department of Commerce. The vessel was given the right

to fly the American flag and is now an American vessel.

When captured she may have been bound for Tsingtau.

I am instructed to bring these facts to the attention

of His Majesty's Government with a request for the vessel

release.

I have &c.,

(Signed)

Walter Hines Page.

dight Honourable

Sir E. Grey, Bart.,K.G., M.P.,

etc., etc., etc.