unless such dunnage as she may have aboard is so licensed. Vessels will not be permitted to clear with dunnage unless properly covered either by export or bunker license. If declared as ship's stores, dunnage can not be discharged at any foreign port or transferred to any other vessel without special permission from the Bureau of Transportation of the War Trade Board.1 Steamship owners, agents, and masters and also shippers are reminded. that this regulation has been operative for some time, but that heretofore it has not been incorporated in the General Rules which were given publicity. (W. T. B. R. 215.) Restrictions on deck cargoes and cargoes carried by sailing vessels, Sept. 10, 1918. [W. T. B., Journ., 14:24.] The War Trade Board have adopted certain restrictions on deck cargoes on unarmed vessels proceeding without convoy from Atlantic and Gulf ports, as announced on September 10, 1918.2 The War TradeBoard also announce certain restrictions on cargoes carried by sailing vessels. In order to avoid delays and unnecessary expense, vessel owners, charterers, and agents should consult with collectors of cus-toms or agents of the Bureau of Transportation, War Trade Board, before making commitments for deck cargoes or cargoes to be carried by sailing vessels. (W. T. B. R. 220.) 1 The War Trade Board on Nov. 30, 1918, announced that Paragraph VI to the General Rules No. 1, Governing Granting Licenses for Bunker Fuel, Port, Sea, and Ship's Stores and Supplies, has been amended to read as follows: No dunnage shall be allowed to proceed out of the country on any vessel except under license of the War Trade Board, either as ship's stores or as cargo. No applications for "bunkers" of any vessels shall be granted unless such dunnage as she may have aboard is so licensed. Vessels will not be permitted to clear with dunnage unless properly covered either by export or bunker license. If declared as ship's stores, dunnage can. not be discharged at any foreign port or transferred to any other vessel without special permission from the Bureau of Transportation. Dunnage (lumber and wood), as per following list only-poplar; gum; white pine; yellow pine, under 12" by 12" 25′ leng; cottonwood; hemlock; staves, shooks, heads, made of red or white oak; staves, shooks, heads, made of ash--which is intended solely for use as dunnage aboard vessel on which shipped, and not for commer, ial use abroad,. will be licensed in usual and reasonable quantities under bunker licenses. Burlap and jute bagging or bags when used either for topping purposes on board grain. vessels or for dunnage purposes on board any vessel will be considered as ship's stores. and licensed accordingly. This ruling cancels all previous rules and regulations respecting the licensing of dun-nage. It is suggested that those interested should confer with agents of the Bureau of Transportation, or collectors of customs at ports where there are no agents, for further information on the subject. (W. T. B. R. 344, Journ. 10:31.) 2 The War Trade Beard on Nov. 18, 1918, announced that they had res inded War Trade Board ruling 220, issued Sept. 10, 1918, with respect to certain restrictions on deck cargoes on unarmed vessels proceeding without convoy from Atlantic and Gulf ports and certain classes of cargo carried by sailing vessels. The restrictions heretofore imposed upon certain classes of cargo carried by auxiliary mtr vessels have also been res inded. (W. T. B. R. 327, Journ. 16:29.) RECOGNITION OF INTERNATIONAL STATUS. Recognition of French Protectorate in Morocco, January 17, 1917. The Secretary of State to the French Ambassador. Referring to my informal note of the 2d instant and your excellency's reply of the 8th instant in regard to the recognition of French protectorate in Morocco, I have the honor to inform you that the Government of the United States, taking into consideration the political relations of the Government of the French Republic to the Government of Morocco, has concluded to recognize, and hereby formally recognizes, the establishment of the French protectorate over the French zone of the Shereefian Empire. The Government of the United States is moved to take this action notwithstanding the present conflict in Europe in order to meet the wishes of the French Government and the French people, for whom the Government and people of the United States entertain a traditional and sincere friendship. I have the honor to request the customary courtesy of your excellency in bringing the foregoing to the attention of the French Government. I am, etc., ROBERT LANSING. Recognition of republican government in Russia, March 22, 1917.1 Statement by United States Ambassador Francis. I have the honor, as the ambassador and representative of the Government of the United States accredited to Russia, to state, in accordance with instructions, that the Government of the United States has recognized the new Government of Russia, and I, as ambassador of the United States, will be pleased to continue intercourse with Russia through the medium of the new Government. May the cordial relations existing between the two countries continue to obtain; may they prove mutually satisfactory and beneficial. Reply by Russian Foreign Minister, Dr. Paul Milyukoff. Permit me, in the name of the Provisional Government, to answer the act of recognition by the United States. You have been able to follow for yourself the events which have established the new order of affairs for free Russia. I have been more than once in your country and may bear witness that the ideals which are represented by the Provisional Government are the same as underlie the existence of your own country. I hope that this great change which has come to Russia will do much to bring us closer together than we have ever been before. I must tell your excellency that during the past few days I have received many congratulations from prominent men in your country assuring me that the public opinion of the United States is in sympathy with us. Permit me to thank you. We are proud to be recognized first by a country whose ideals we cherish. 1 The Czar abdicated for himself and son Mar. 15, 1917. Great Britain, France, and Italy followed the United States by recognizing the new government March 22, 1917. Recognition of nationalistic aspirations of Czecho-Slovaks and Jugo-Slavs, May 31, 1918.1 (Official United States Bulletin No. 323, p. 2.) The Secretary of State desires to announce that the proceedings of the Congress of Oppressed Races of Austria-Hungary,' which was held in Rome in April, have been followed with great interest by the Government of the United States, and that the nationalistic aspirations of the Czecho-Slovaks and Jugo-Slavs for freedom have the earnest sympathy of this Government. Recognition of belligerency of Czecho-Slovaks, September 3, 1918.3 (Official United States Bulletin No. 402, p. 1.) The Secretary of State makes the following announcement: The Czecho-Slovak peoples having taken up arms against the German and Austro-Hungarian Empires and having placed organized armies in the field which are waging war against those Empires under officers of their own nationality and in accordance with the rules and practices of civilized nations; and The Czecho-Slovaks having, in prosecution of their independent purposes in the present war, confided supreme political authority to the Czecho-Slovak National Council, The Government of the United States recognizes that a state of belligerency exists between the Czecho-Slovaks thus organized and the German and Austro-Hungarian Empires. It also recognizes the Czecho-Slovak National Council as a de facto belligerent Government, clothed with proper authority to direct the military and political affairs of the Czecho-Slovaks. The Government of the United States further declares that it is prepared to enter formally into relations with the de facto Government thus recognized for the purpose of prosecuting the war against the common enemy, the Empires of Germany and Austro-Hungary. Demand for Austro-Hungarian recognition of independence of CzechoSlovaks and Jugo-Slavs, October 18, 1918.1 [Official United States Bulletin, No. 441, p. 2.] From the Secretary of State to the Minister of Sweden. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, October 18, 1918. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 7th instant, in which you transmit a communication from the Imperial Royal Government of Austria-Hungary to the President. I am 1 Adhesion by Allied Supreme War Council June 4, 1918, supra, p. 98. Supra, p. 107. Recognition by France, June 30, 1918, supra, p. 49; Great Britain, Aug. 13, 1918, supra, p. 99. Japan accorded recognition Sept. 9, 1918. Cuba recognized the belligerency of the Czecho-Slovaks by presidential decree Nov. 5, 1918. • Austrian reply, supra, p. 13. 116506-19-14 now instructed by the President to request you to be good enough, through your Government, to convey to the Imperial and Royal Government the following reply: "The President deems it his duty to say to the Austro-Hungarian Government that he can not entertain the present suggestions of that Government because of certain events of utmost importance which, occurring since the delivery of his address of the 8th of January last, have necessarily altered the attitude and responsibility of the Govern-ment of the United States. "Among the 14 terms of peace which the President formulated at that time occurred the following: "10. The peoples of Austria-Hungary, whose place among the nations we wish to see safeguarded and assured, should be accorded the freest opportunity of autonomous development. "Since that sentence was written and uttered to the Congress of the United States the Government of the United States has recognized that a state of belligerency exists between the Czecho-Slovaks and the German and Austro-Hungarian Empires and that the Czecho-Slovaks national council is a de facto belligerent government clothed with proper authority to direct the military and political affairs of the Czecho-Slovaks. "It has also recognized in the fullest manner the justice of the nationalistic aspirations of the Jugo-Slavs for freedom. "The President is. therefore, no longer at liberty to accept a mere'autonomy' of these peoples as a basis of peace, but is obliged to insist that they, and not he, shall be the judges of what action on the part of the Austro-Hungarian Government will satisfy their aspirations and their conception of their rights and destiny as members of the family of nations." Accept, sir, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration. ROBERT LANSING. Note recognizing belligerency of Polish Army, November 2, 1918. Mr. ROMAN DMOWSKI, DEPARTMENT OF STATE, November 2, 1918. President Polish National Committee, The Washington Hotel, Washington, D. C. SIR: I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letters of October 18 and October 25 requesting the Government of the United States to associate itself with the Governments of France and Great Britain by recognizing the Polish Army, under the supreme political authority of the Polish National Committee, as autonomous, allied, and co-belligerent. In reply I beg to inform you that the Government of the United States has not been unmindful of the zeal and tenacity with which the Polish National Committee has prosecuted the task of marshaling its fellow countrymen in a supreme military effort to free Poland from its present oppressors. This Government's position with respect to the Polish cause and the Polish people could hardly be more clearly defined than was outlined by the President in his address before the Congress of January 8, 1918. Therefore, feeling as it does a deep sympathy for the Polish people and viewing with gratification the progress of the Polish cause, this Government experiences a feeling of genuine satisfaction in being able to comply with your request by recognizing the Polish Army, under the supreme political authority of the Polish National Committee, as autonomous and co-belligerent. I am, sir. your obedient servant, (Signed) ROBERT LANSING. Note informing Germany of terms on which Armistice may be concluded, November 5, 1919. [Official United States Bulletin, No. 456, p. 1.] Mr. Lansing, Secretary of State to Mr. Sulzer, Swiss Minister in Charge of German interests in the United States. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, SIR: I have the honor to request you to transmit the following communication to the German Government: "In my note of October 23, 1918, I advised you that the President had transmitted his correspondence with the German authorities to the governments with which the Government of the United States is associated as a belligerent, with the suggestion that if those governments were disposed to effect peace upon the terms and principles indicated, their military advisers and the military advisers of the United States be asked to submit to the governments associated against Germany the necessary terms of such an armistice as would fully protect the interests of the peoples involved and ensure to the associated governments the unrestricted power to safeguard and enforce the details of the peace to which the German Government had agreed, provided they deemed such an armistice possible from the military point of view. "The President is now in receipt of a memorandum of observations by the Allied Governments on this correspondence, which is as follows: "The Allied Governments have given careful consideration to the correspondence which has passed between the President of the United States and the German Government. Subject to the qualifications which follow they declare their willingness to make peace with the Government of Germany on the terms of peace laid down in the President's address to Congress of January, 1918, and the principles of settlement enunciated in his subsequent addresses. They must point out, however, that clause two relating to what is usually described as the freedom of the seas, is open to various interpretations, some of which they could not accept. They must, therefore, reserve to themselves complete freedom on this subject when they enter the peace conference. |