300.115(39)/56: Telegram
The Chargé in Germany (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 3—7:25 a.m.]
1914, My 1835, October 26, 8 a.m. Upon receipt of the repetition of Department’s telegram to American Consul Hamburg No. 122, October 30, 3 p.m., the Embassy made oral representation to the Foreign Office and urgently suggested that in accordance with the provisional arrangement worked out between the Prize Commissioner and the American Consul General at Hamburg German Consuls be instructed by cable at once to examine purchase contracts and resale contracts of American pulp importers at least those covering cargoes now being held and cable their findings to Hamburg. A list of the names of vessels now being detained and of the American consignees of their cargoes was left at the Foreign Office. The official handling prize matters said that the suggestion would be discussed at a Foreign Office conference to be held at noon yesterday. The Embassy later inquired as to the results of the conference whereupon the official stated that no decision had been reached in the matter and upon being pressed as to when a decision might be expected he had said that he doubted that any answer would be forthcoming before 3 or 4 days at the earliest.
In view of this statement it is suggested that the Department in the interest of expediting the release of these cargoes should request the American importers to submit to it documentary evidence of the American destination and consumption of the detained cargoes and cable its findings to the American Consul General at Hamburg. Upon the submission to the Prize Commission at Hamburg of reports such as the Department sent in the case of the Andrejs Kalnins the Consulate General may be able to effect the release of certain of the cargoes (see Department’s telegram October 13, 6 p.m. to the American Legation in Riga).
Repeated to American Consulate in Hamburg.