File No. 855.48/306
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Page) to the Secretary of State
[Received 1.40 p. m.]
2736. At request of Commission for Relief in Belgium I am forwarding by to-day’s pouch copy of the contracts concerning use by the commission of German ships interned in the United States, Holland, and other neutral ports. This requires agreement by American Government in one particular, namely, that they will raise no objection to these ships leaving American ports. The ships will fly Dutch flag, Commission for Relief flag, and will have entirely Dutch crews. The British, German, and Dutch Governments will agree to this use of these ships for commission’s use only. The commission asks if you will be kind enough to telegraph consent not to detain these ships when required for commission’s business.