THE CONVICTS' STRIPES
America and China: "You order us to paint convicts' stripes on our ships. We will not. Wear them yourselves."
Sailing of regular American passenger steamers may continue undisturbed after February 1, 1917, if
(A) The port of destination is Falmouth.
(B) Sailing to or coming from that port course is taken via the Scilly Islands and a point fifty degrees north, twenty degrees west.
(C) The steamers are marked in the following way, which must not be allowed to other vessels in American ports: On ship's hull and superstructure three vertical stripes one meter wide, each to be painted alternately white and red. Each mast should show a large flag checkered white and red, and the stern the American national flag. Care should be taken that, during dark, national flag and painted marks are easily recognizable from a distance, and that the boats are well lighted throughout.