Naval History and Heritage Command

Edward N. Hurley, Chairman, Shipping Board, to Raymond B. Stevens, Vice-Chairman,  Shipping Board and Representative, Allied Maritime Transportation Council

Chronological Copy.                           File No. <42/2/7>

Cablegram Received  March <22,1918.> 12423   ROC1

Origin Opnav, Washington.                     Ser. No. 4130

C-S  23 Mar.

     24-D.

Simsadus,

4130.     Board’s 17 for Stevens from Hurley. Referring to your War Shipping Mission Number 372 we understand that the Italian coal necessities were being taken care of by Great Britain and France and that America had assisted by placing 3 steamers at* disposition of Stevens for trip with coal from United Kingdom to France. Therefore it is difficult for us to appreciate why 70,000 of Dutch tonnage should be requested to take care of the shortage caused by the temporary diversion which had been agreed to prior to the Dutch requisition. We suggest you develop this further as all of the Dutch tonnage is absolutely required for commitments quite well defined before the Italian coal situation became known.3 16022.      4130.

Benson.       

* N.B. – “Period” comes clear after 43 steamers at” but obviously incorrect.