File No. 763.72112/2568
The Ambassador in Germany (Gerard) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 23, 1 p. m.]
3910. Department’s 3013. After receipt of Department’s circular telegram of September 24, 1914,1 which was followed by Department’s telegram No. 364, of October 9, 1914,2 identical notes were presented to German Government by Spanish Ambassador and myself in regard to hospital supplies. Foreign Office reply was communicated to you in my telegram of October 29, No. 662.3 On receipt of Department’s instruction of June 25, 1915,4 Spanish Ambassador and I again presented identical notes on August 2, containing British lists and expressing desire that German Government would agree to free transit of articles concerned. In these notes it was stated that “the Government of His Britannic Majesty has already expressed its agreement,” and in the German reply sent you in my despatch No. 1673, October 19, 1915,5 it was stated the German Government declared itself ready to consider articles mentioned in list as comprised in Declaration of London and to guarantee their free transit, adding that requisite provisions had already been inserted in German prize ordinances. Foreign Office added condition regarding strict reciprocity with special reference to England. Spanish Ambassador transmitted copy of German note to Madrid in October, receipt of which was acknowledged, but he has no information regarding any further action which may have been taken by his Government.