File No. 763.72/2969

The Ambassador in Great Britain (Page) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

5070. Your 3968, October 22, 5 p. m. The British Government have made no request of me, but both Government and public are anxious to know precisely what happened and there is no authoritative way to obtain information except by our Government’s making facts known. In cases mentioned by you there would be no objection if no loss of ships nor were lives put in jeopardy [sic]. Since British ships were sunk and British subjects put into small boats, there is a natural curiosity to know precisely what happened and consequent criticism of our Government for not making facts known which can be made known in no other way.

Page