File No. 165.102/215
The Ambassador in Germany (Gerard) to the Secretary of State
Berlin, October 26, 1914.
[Received October 27, 8:15 p.m.]
[Telegram]
634. Department’s 399, 12th.2 Foreign Office expresses thanks for information that steps are being initiated for sending shipments of cotton under neutral flag for German spinners and states that no difficulties exist for shipment via Rotterdam or Copenhagen, circumstances being as follows:
Dutch Government has placed embargo on export of cotton; however, through communications on Rhine are assured to Germany by Article 7 of Rhine Shipping Act. Goods are considered as composing through shipments when they are registered as transit goods in bond, even when they are duty free, as soon as the ship carrying them arrives in a Dutch port.
As far as German Government knows, Denmark has not up to the present placed prohibition on exportation of cotton; but even were this to occur, through communications would continue on the condition that the goods would be forwarded by vessel or rail without delay or deposit in a depot. Foreign Office ventures to express expectation that even should difficulties arise, which is not anticipated, American Government will exert itself to have same overcome.