File No. 763.72112/1386¼
The Ambassador in Great Britain, (Page) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6.50 p. m.]
1677. Your 1156, February 19, 9 p. m.1 I am sorry to report that I do not see a ray of hope for any agreement between Germany and England whereby England will permit food to enter Germany under any condition. Since Germany has declared her intention to prevent everything from abroad entering England, it is practically [Page 119] certain that England will prevent everything from entering Germany. That policy was foreshadowed, though not definitely stated to me, by Sir Edward Grey yesterday. Early in the war Germany destroyed a food ship bound for Ireland. That fact, together with the declared German policy of a blockade, I fear absolutely cuts off any chance of such an arrangement as you hope for.
I am to spend Sunday with the Prime Minister in the country and I will follow the subject up. The Germans have so bungled the matter that I have little hope. The English will show the greatest courtesy and consideration to us but none henceforth to the Germans.