File No. 300.115/1335
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Page)
Washington, November 18, 1914.
[Telegram]
562. Department informed Norwegian steamer tiller chartered by Gans Steamship Line, American corporation, from Savannah for Göteborg, with full cargo cotton detained by British at Kirkwall. In [Page 347] view of representations of interested parties as to nationality of vessel and character of cargo and of assurance of British Government that shipment of cotton to European countries on neutral vessels would not be molested, Department unable to see how detention in this case is justified. Repeated detention of shipments on neutral vessels to neutral countries has upset American shippers, resulting in increase of freight and insurance rates, and the regrettable detention of the Uller produces in minds of cotton interests a general impression that course of Great Britain is not friendly to American trade and assists in continuing to depress price of cotton. Department, acting on declaration of Great Britain, has endeavored to assure, as far as consistent, American shippers, and sincerely trusts that course of Great Britain will not contradict these assurances.
Present [note] to British Government in the sense of the foregoing and request immediate release of vessel and cargo with full explanation. Department asking Gans Line specifically if vessel neutral-owned and if carried any other cargo than cotton if so, where and how consigned. Will advise you.