File No. 763.72112/1393
The Ambassador in Great Britain ( Page ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8.30 p. m.]
2538. I had another long informal private conversation with Sir Edward Grey yesterday, which might almost be intimate, about the whole relation between the United States and Great Britain. I explained to him with candor and frankness the whole political [Page 490] situation in the United States. He is alive to the dangers and difficulties, and he will try in the additional note he is now preparing to clear away as many difficulties as possible. I advised him, since the Cabinet has decided to make cotton contraband, to announce this fact soon, because cotton is sold long in advance of delivery. He will probably include this announcement in his forthcoming note. Sir Edward Grey will go to the limit of his ability to make British action bear as lightly on American interests as possible.