File No. 800415/1891
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Page) to the Secretary of State
London, December 21, 1914.
[Received 8:35 p.m.]
[Telegram]
1307. Following note received from Foreign Office in reply my recent representations that undue delay occurred in the releasing by British authorities of vessels carrying cotton from United States to European ports:
The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have reported that the delay in the treatment of these vessels is no longer than is necessary for military considerations, the provision of pilot’s visit and search at sea and examination at the port of call for contraband. The only vessel with a large cargo of cotton which has been dealt with is the El Paso which arrived in the Downs on December 8. She was boarded at 4:35 p.m. on the same day and was allowed to proceed forthwith to her next port of call, Gothenburg, where she was expected to arrive on December 13.