File No. 300.115/197

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Page)

[Telegram]

87. Your 584, September 4.1

Ambassador Spring Rice informed Department September 4 of receipt of telegram from Sir Edward Grey as follows:

  • In order to prevent loss to subjects of neutral powers and to encourage continuance of trade, His Majesty’s Government have taken steps to set free expeditiously and without reference to prize court as many cargoes as possible, even though in some cases cargoes may be liable in law to condemnation as a prize. An executive committee with full powers to deal with such cases has been appointed.

This telegram has been copied extensively in United States as favorable attitude of British Government for expeditious disposition of American cargo aboard captured vessels.

Bryan
  1. Not printed.