File No. 763.72112/514½
The British Ambassador (Spring
Rice) to the Counselor for
the Department of State
British Embassy,
Washington,
November 9, 1914.
[Received November 11.]
Dear Mr. Counsellor: I duly received the
official letter from your Department dated November 7 relative to
the protest of your Government on the subject of the detention of
United States vessels in British ports and other matters.
I lost no time in telegraphing its contents to my Government and I
will send a copy by the next mail. In the meanwhile I have received
telegrams from my Government, copies of which I enclose for you
herewith, which provide information as to the arrangements now being
made with neutral governments with the object of putting as few
hindrances as possible in the way of neutral trade and shipping,
while carrying out those measures of restriction which present
hostilities have unfortunately made necessary.
I am [etc.]
[Enclosure
1—Telegram]
The British Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs (Grey) to
the British Ministers at Christiania (Findlay), Stockholm
(Howard), and
Copenhagen (Lowther)
London
,
November 8,
1914.
We are satisfied with the guarantees offered by the Norwegian,
Swedish, and Danish Governments as to the non-exportation of
those contraband goods consigned to a named person in Norway,
Sweden, and Denmark which are included in the list of prohibited
exports issued by the Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish
Governments; and relying upon the Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish
Governments to see that such goods are landed in Norwegian,
Swedish, and Danish ports of destination and not subsequently
exported or passed on in transit to enemy country, orders have
been given to British Fleet and customs authorities at British
ports to restrict interference with neutral vessels carrying
such cargoes so consigned to verification of ship’s papers and
cargo.
[File copy not signed]
[Enclosure
2—Telegram]
The British Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs (Grey) to
the British Ambassador at Rome (Rodd)
London
,
November 8,
1914.
Italian prohibition of export is practically valueless so long as
under Italian transit regulations cargoes even when addressed to
named consignees in Italy may on arrival at Italian port be
declared “in transit” and so escape export prohibition.
We have accordingly decided on arrangement explained in my
telegram to Rome of to-day, No. 100. That arrangement, if
accepted by Italian Government, will fully provide for bona fide import trade into Italy and
transit to Switzerland of cargoes for Swiss use, but will stop
illicit transit to Germany.
[File copy not signed]
[Page 342]
[Enclosure
3—Telegram]
The British Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs (Grey) to
the British Ambassador at Rome (Rodd)
London
,
November 8,
1914.
His Majesty’s Government have decided for the present to stop at
Gibraltar all copper except that consigned to the Italian
Government, subject to the following restrictions.
As regards electrolytic weak high-grade copper unquestionably
destined for Italian firms they would be prepared, in view of
measures taken by the Italian. Government as reported in your
telegram, to allow this to proceed if consigned to the Italian
Government, firms making the necessary arrangements with their
Government for this purpose. His Majesty’s Government rely on
the Italian Government to satisfy themselves that these
consignments will not be declared “in transit” on arrival but
will in fact fall under operation of prohibition of export.
As regards Bessemer (lower-grade copper) shipment will be allowed
through, when consigned to Italian firms who give an undertaking
that it is for use in Italy only.
Your excellency should point out that an arrangement of this kind
is rendered especially necessary in view of the existing Italian
regulations under which as I understand from your telegram No.
86 shipments [?] even when addressed to named consignee in Italy
may on arrival at Italian port be declared to be “in
transit.”
Arrangement now proposed appears to be one which will afford all
possible facilities to Italian houses and work with the least
friction.
Negotiations will be opened at once with the Swiss Government in
regard to copper intended for Switzerland.
Regina d’Italia has sailed from Gibraltar
and it is understood copper for Pirelli has not been
discharged.
[File copy not signed]
