File No. 652.119/66
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Spain ( Willard)
[Telegram]
Washington,
October 5, 1917, 5 p.m.
697. Your 797, September 21, 12 noon. At present cannot facilitate departure Bartolo, as United States needs coal and nitrates.
Pending settlement of British-Spanish agreement regarding fuel and iron ore cannot release oil and coal for Spain. Therefore cannot release Cataluña. Further, cannot release oil or gasoline unless assured as to consignees.
Lansing