Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1914, Supplement, The World War

File No. 165.102/46a

The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Germany (Gerard)

Department of State,
Washington, September 17, 1914.

[Telegram]

186. Unofficial information Germany has placed cyanide under embargo. Supply in mining districts this country and Mexico very limited. Unless cyanide can be had, American mining companies in Mexico and United States will be compelled to shut down with disastrous results. Investigate, and if there is an embargo, request German government to lift embargo on enough cyanide for needs of United States if given assurances that no cyanide will be supplied belligerent countries. Answer immediately.

Lansing