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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels to Captain William D. MacDougal, United States Naval Attaché in London

 

RECEIVED 24 April 1917.       TO: Naval Attache.      NO. 19023.

     The U. S. Government has not assumed control in the matter of destination and routes to be followed for U.S. Vessels.1 Therefore do not interpose objection to the freedom of movement of the MINNESOTA advising her of conditions.2 Information reaches the Department that you have protested against the MINNESOTA proceeding to London.

DANIELS.

          Sec. Navy.

Source Note: C, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517.

Footnote 1: S.S. MINNESOTA was a passenger liner owned by the Atlantic Transport Line based in Baltimore, Maryland.

Footnote 2: Once the convoy system was instituted, the routes and sailing dates of merchant ships and passenger liners were controlled by British authorities, to whom the United States government deferred administrative control of the convoy system.

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