File No. 665.11251
The Minister in Switzerland (Stovall) to the Secretary of State
Berne, November 1, 1914, 11 a.m.
[Received 10:30 a.m.]
[Telegram]
Switzerland receives large amounts of raw material from the United States, especially cotton and metals. At present the transit [Page 394] through Italy of these articles seems to become difficult in consequence of the attitude taken by the British Government. Therefore Swiss Government urgently requests the Government of the United. States to instruct American Ambassador at Rome to assist Switzerland in its efforts to secure from Italy unlimited transit through Italy of raw material, especially cotton, petroleum, copper, lead, iron, coming from the United States and intended for Switzerland, representations to be made by American Ambassador at Rome in most amicable manner, not in the form of complaint or demand. Swiss Government believes that representations made by the Government of the United States in London would be successful.