File No. 341.622a/132
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Page) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7.55 p. m.]
4314. Your 3318, May 15, 12 noon, was communicated to Sir Edward Grey to-day. He promised to consult Mr. Balfour, the First Lord of the Admiralty, immediately and give an answer. He requested that you be informed by telegraph meanwhile that the persons it is desired to retain were known by the British authorities in the Orient at the time of their seizure to have been incorporated in the armed forces of the enemies of Great Britain, but that this knowledge had not reached him on May 5 when he gave me his promise to release them.