862.00/802: Telegram
The Special Representative ( House ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:03 p.m.]
197. Referring to my cable number 196. Hoover, just before he left for Brussels, handed one of his men the following written memorandum of instructions:
“Will you see Mr. Auchincloss this morning and say that with regard to Secretary Lansing message upon sending someone into Germany, the British have objected to our taking any action without their participation in it. I am not disposed to abide by this domination but do think for amity[’s] sake that Secretary Lansing had better have Laughlin inform the British Foreign Office that we are sending inquiry [Page 105] agents into Germany on food, to wit, Taylor and Kellogg, and do nothing else, that is, simply inform them.”