815.00 Revolutions/76
The Secretary of State to the Attorney for the United Fruit Company (Woolsey)
Sir: The Department has received your letter of May 4, 1931,6 in which, as attorney for the United Fruit Company and with especial reference to a recent incident concerning the request of the Government of Honduras for use of the Company’s vessels to transport troops against revolutionists, you point out that the Company, through its subsidiaries, owns a large number of ocean-going steamships, the use [Page 570] of which during revolutionary disturbances may be demanded by constituted and revolutionary leaders during the progress of revolutions in countries to which those ships ply; that the diversion of the ships to military uses results in substantial damages to the Company, for which it is difficult to obtain compensation; and that voluntary compliance on the part of the Company with such demands may result in charges of partiality by one party or the other leading perhaps to serious complications.
You add that, in view of the circumstances, the Company is inclined to refuse compliance with demands of constituted authorities or revolutionary leaders for the use of its vessels and equipment in times of revolutionary disturbances unless forced to do so by formal requisition or forceful seizure.
In response to your statement that you hope that the proposed policy meets with the approval of the Department, it may be stated that such is the case.
Very truly yours,
Solicitor
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