File No. 763.72/1104
The British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Grey) to the British Ambassador at Washington (Spring Rice)
[Received in the Department of State, October 3, 1914.]
[Telegram]
The German policy of mine laying combined with their submarine activities makes it necessary on military grounds for Admiralty to adopt countermeasures. His Majesty’s Government have therefore authorized a mine-laying policy in certain areas and a system of mine fields has been established and is being developed upon a considerable scale. In order to reduce risks to non-combatants the Admiralty announce that it is dangerous henceforward for ships to cross area between latitude 51° 15’ N. and 51° 40’ N. and longitude 1° 35’ E. and 3° E. In this connection it must be remembered that the southern limit of the German mine field is latitude 52° N. Although these limits are assigned to the danger area it must not be supposed that navigation is safe in any part of the southern waters of the North Sea. Instructions have been issued to His Majesty’s ships to warn east-going vessels of the presence of this new minefield. You should inform Government to which you are accredited without delay.