File No. 811.142/1376

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

Sir: There is herewith transmitted to you copies of two letters to the Department from the American Red Cross, dated respectively [Page 942] February 12 and February 16,1 relative to the obtaining of permits from the British Government for the shipment of certain relief supplies (named in the lists which are also herewith transmitted to you) destined for the Red Cross Societies of Germany and Austria, and for the American Ambassador at Constantinople for relief purposes in Turkey.

You are instructed to secure the requested permits as promptly as possible, and cable reply.

I am [etc.]

For the Secretary of State:
Frank L. Polk
[Enclosure]

The Chairman of the Central Committee of the American Red Cross (ex-President Taft) to the Secretary of State

Dear Mr. Secretary: Up to the present time all permits necessary for the shipment of hospital supplies to the Central powers have been obtained through the British Embassy in this city. The last permit issued by the British Ambassador was for a shipment of supplies destined for the Red Cross Societies of Germany, Austria, and Bulgaria, which sailed from New York on the S. S. Nieuw Amsterdam of the Holland-America Line January 18, 1916. These shipments were consigned to the American Minister at The Hague, who in turn was requested to forward them to their destinations.

The British Ambassador, who has been most kind regarding these permits, has now requested the American Red Cross to make all applications for future permits through our State Department at Washington and the American Ambassador at London. We have at present ready for shipment at our warehouse in South Brooklyn, New York, 323 cases of supplies, of which number we desire to send 313 to the German Red Cross, 86 to the Austrian Red Cross, and 4 to the American Ambassador at Constantinople for Turkish relief.

The American Red Cross asks for a permit for the safe conduct of these supplies on any vessel sailing to the port of Rotterdam, Holland, for delivery to the American Minister at The Hague, to be by him transmitted to the countries mentioned. This request is made under the provisions of the treaty of Geneva, 1864, as revised 1906, Chapter 4, Article 16. These cases have been repacked at our Red Cross warehouse under reliable inspectors, and it will be noted that the accompanying lists contain exact details of the contents of each box.2 It is therefore requested that you address the British Government for the necessary permits, indicating that early action in the premises would be much appreciated by the American Red Cross.

Respectfully yours,

Wm. H. Taft
  1. Letter of the 16th not printed.
  2. Lists not printed.