Executive Order 2696—Suspending Law Admitting Foreign-Built Ships to American Entry

In pursuance of the authority conferred upon the President of the United States by Section 2 of the Act approved August 18, 1914, entitled "An Act to provide for the admission of foreign built ships to American registry for the foreign trade, and for other purposes," it is hereby ordered:

That the provisions of law requiring survey, inspection and measurement, by officers of the United States, of foreign built ships admitted to United States registry under said Act are hereby suspended so far and for such length of time as is herein provided, namely: The said provisions shall not apply to any such foreign built ship during the period of two years from September 1, 1917, provided the Secretary of Commerce is satisfied in the case of any stitch ship that the ship is safe and sea-worthy and that proper effort is being made to comply with the said provision.

WOODROW WILSON

THE WHITE HOUSE,

September 7, 1917.