File No. 763.72111/864a
The Acting Secretary of State to all Seaport Consuls
Washington, November 28, 1914.
[Circular telegram]
Department’s circular instructions November 221 and 25. Reports teed not be made on vessels engaged especially in passenger service but should be made on all American and foreign vessels arriving from American ports in ballast or with cargo. You will not enforce investigation, nor seek to detain vessels, nor do anything to offend authorities of port in obtaining this information. You may discreetly obtain information from any available source which need not be official. If you find that war vessels have been supplied at sea, report their names if possible. Make reports brief.