File No. 763.72111M72/11
The Ambassador in Spain ( Willard) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5.40 p.m.]
569. Department’s 480, May 21, 5 p.m. Foreign Office note just received states that Spanish Ambassador, Berlin, reports that A. Midea of Neufahrwasser, born October 30, 1854, and J. Benson born at Beverly, Martensburg, January 15, 1882, captured by Moewe on Norwegian vessel Staut were liberated March 28. Fifty-eight others captured on armed British vessels Esmeraldas and Brecknockshire will be held by Germany as prisoners of war for reasons given in memorandum of German Foreign Office to Spanish Embassy dated March 30 and forwarded to Department through Legation at The Hague, Embassy’s telegram 481, April 16, 10 a.m. These are held at Brandenburg, and Spanish Ambassador hopes to receive early permission to inspect conditions. Copies of lists and notes from German Foreign Office to Spanish Ambassador have been sent to American Legation, The Hague, for transmission to the Department.