File No. 763.72/399
The Consul at Cardiff (Lathrop) to the Secretary of State
Cardiff, Wales, July 30, 1914.
[Received August 14.]
No. 138]
Sir: I have the honor to advise the Department that the British Admiralty have to-day sent a representative to Cardiff who has informed all shippers of high-grade Admiralty coals to the effect that the Government demands first option on all shipments. A certain number of cargoes have already been taken over under this order, and are being laden for Government account in vessels chartered by the Admiralty on time limit. The price of the coal is about $5.30 per long ton, and shippers are being indemnified against private claims for breach of contract. The chartering terms are $3.27 per gross registered ton, per month, for vessels up to 2,200 tons, and $3.03 for larger vessels. These coaling ships will, of course, follow the fleet, the whereabouts of which the British papers are not permitted to state.
The customs authorities have been prohibited from extending information as to the destination of these collier vessels, and as to quantities of coal carried. Local newspaper reports have been censored [Page 58] and print no details as to Government purchases or shipments of coal.
I have [etc.]