File No. 300.115/1115
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Page) to the Secretary of State
London, November 5, 1914.
[Received 11 p.m.]
[Telegram]
1000. Your 433, November 1,1 my 965 [964] of November 2,2 and my 967 of November 3.1 Foreign Office to-day sent me a memorandum stating that Kroonland is now discharging at the suggestion of the White Star Line her cargo of copper and rubber at Gibraltar and as soon as this done she will be allowed to proceed. As before stated the ground for detention was that she was carrying copper ostensibly to Naples but believed to be for Germany. The copper consignment has been brought into the prize court.
The San Giovanni was detained for same reason. Prize court proceedings have already commenced in respect of her cargo of copper and instructions were sent at the same time for her to be released immediately. The copper, etc., was discharged.
The Regina d’Italia was also detained for reason given in preceding cases. Part of her copper is below other cargo and difficult to discharge. Part has been discharged and placed in prize court and an arrangement is now being concluded with the Italian Government under which vessel will be allowed to proceed with all consignments of copper undischarged actually addressed to Italian firms on a guarantee from that Government that it will not be reexported.
All possible steps are being taken to expedite departure of these ships.