File No. 763.72112/2739
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Page) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 22, 1916, 9.10 p. m.]
4598. Your 3527, July 17, 6 p. m. I have again gone over in extenso with Lord Robert Cecil, Minister of Blockade, his Government’s refusal to admit American Red Cross supplies to Germany. He gave me no definite hope of a reversal of his Government’s position, but he thoroughly understands that much just criticism may be expected in the United States and I think he sees that the British Government has made a needless and provoking mistake, as I had previously informed them. My inference is that the Government is afraid of public opinion, one strong section of which loudly demands the exclusion of everything from Germany.