Secretary of State John Sherman to Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Court of St. James John Hay
Translation of a cipher telegram received at the Embassy, April 15, 1898.
Hay, Ambassador, London
Notify seaport consuls through United States Consul General1 to keep sharp watch of any suspicious vessels destined to aid Spain as war ships or privateers and report to you. In event of hostilities, you will notify British government of any suspected ship and ask full observance of neutral obligations.2 Keep Department advised.
Sherman.
Source Note: TD, DNA, RG 59, M30, roll 180.
Footnote 1: William M. Osborne was the consul general in London.
Footnote 2: Great Britain declared neutrality on 26 April. Benton, International Law, 125.
