File No. 855.48/593
The British Embassy to the Department of State
Memorandum
In a memorandum dated May 2, the British Embassy had the honour to inform the State Department that owing to the ruthless destruction of vessels of the Belgian Relief Commission, His Majesty’s Government felt no longer justified in allowing, for the time being, further relief vessels to proceed to their destination.
The commission in London, however, have now furnished additional information showing that the actual torpedoing of any of their vessels within the zone declared safe by the German Government would be difficult to prove.
After full consideration of all the circumstances, His Majesty’s Government have decided to grant permission to all ships of the relief commission to proceed to Rotterdam immediately, and all their captains have accordingly been warned strictly to adhere to the zone of safety prescribed by the German Government.