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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Professor J. A. Field, Representative to United States Transportation Board, to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations

CABLEGRAM SENT 23 February 1918.

To: Opnav Washington                       Ser. No. 4321.

4321. Ship Mission Four. February twenty-two.

     Allied Maritime Transport Council1 at first formal meeting about March five will discuss import requirements of nations participating. We are asked to submit as soon as possible careful estimates of minimum necessary United States imports for nineteen eighteen and also for purpose of comparison statement of actual imports <nine>teen seventeen. I suggest that these estimates be made promptly and with the greatest care since our influence in the Council may depend upon the effectiveness with which we present our first case.

          Data submitted should show imports of nineteen seventeen and requirements for nineteen eighteen in long tons for each commodity. As far as possible state quantity of each commodity from each port or region abroad and specify ports of destination in United States. If practicable include imports from Europe especially commodities like Spanish pyrites which would divert ships from direct return voyage. Recommend that you cable figures for the more important commodities as soon as ready to permit preliminary discussion here before entire list is complete. Field. 23423.

Sims.             

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B.

Footnote 1: The Allied Maritime Transport Council was an international agency that coordinated shipping between the allied powers of France, Italy, Great Britain, and the United States. The council was formed at the Allied Naval Conference that took place in Paris 23 and 24 November 1917. The representatives to the council were: Robert Cecil and Sir Joseph Maclay for Great Britain; Étienne Clémentel and Louis Loucheur for France; Giovanni Villa and Silvio Crespi for Italy; and Raymond B. Stevens and George Rublee for the United States.

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