File No. 666:11251/15
The Ambassador in Italy (Page) to the Secretary of State
Rome, December 5, 1914.
[Received December 6, 9:30 a.m.]
[Telegram]
98. Your 99 [98], 4th. Swiss Secretary of Legation in charge has given me Memorandum stating that Sir Edward, Grey has written to Swiss Minister at London that British Government would immediately give instructions allowing cotton to be exported to Switzerland and other neutral powers without longer insisting on interdiction of reexportation by them of cotton and cotton product there-from. Italian Government decree Of November 13, prohibiting exportation cotton is based on apprehension of Great Britain’s stopping ships bringing cargoes vitally necessary for Italy. Mean-time American cotton is stopped while. Egyptian cotton facilitated. Trying secure modification of decree. Informed quickest solution is for Great Britain to notify Italy cotton not contraband. London key to situation.