DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

42 MARITIME DANGER ZONES.
11. British and Allied yessels wishing to use the Northabout,
route should apply to the Customs for directions.
Neutral yessels wishing to use the North-about route
should be informed that application for permission to do
so must be obtained through their Diplomatic representatives,
and that, failing such permission, they must proceed
South-about.
In no circumstances are vessels allowed to pass through
the Minches or through the Pentland Firth.
12. Sailing Vessels from Atlantic to Scandinavian
Ports.—Pass to Westward of Ireland and St. Kilda.
Then make the Faroe Islands, and proceed thence to
destination, passing to the Northward of the Shetland
Islands, and keeping 50 miles from them.
ADMIRALTY WAR STAFF,
(TRADE DIVISION),
15th May, 1915.
File No. 841.801/40.
The Secretary of State to Ambassador W. H. Page.
[Telegram.]
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, May 20, 1915.
Admiralty announcement canceling notice on Navigation
North Sea of November 30, 1914, cabled by Skinner
May 17th, states that British and allied vessels wishing
to use northabout route should apply to Customs, and
neutral vessels must apply for permission, through their
foreign representatives, and failing such permission proceed
southabout.
Department does not fully understand the intention
and effect underlying such regulations, and shall be glad
to have an immediate report on the subject from you.
BRYAN.
File No. 841.801/46.
Ambassador W. H. Page to the Secretary of State.
[Telegram.]
AMERICAN EMBASSY,
London, June 5, 1915.
Following reply received to-day from Foreign Office:
"I did not fail to refer to the proper department of His
Majesty's Government the notes which Your Excellency
was good enough to address to me on the 22nd and 29th
ultimo enquiring as to the Admiralty announcement cancelling
the notice on navigation in the North Sea of November
30th, 1914.
"I have the honour to state in reply that the notice on
navigation in the North Sea dated 15th May introduced no
new regulations with regard to the northabout route.
The notice was merely intended to summarize existing
practice which has been evolved with the object of ensuring
that trade passing northabout shall be limited in
amount and reputable in character.