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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Commander Paul Foley and L. I. Thomas to Edward N. Hurley, Chairman, United States Shipping Board

Chronological Copy.                             File No.

Cablegram Sent  8 March 1918.  ROC

To  Opnav. Washington.                     Serial No. 4846

Prep. by                          D.R.

                                      24-D

VERY SECRET

4846. For Hurley begins. For your confidential information only, our telegram No. 48451 has been submitted to and accepted by British Admiralty. This procedure was adopted at request of Admiralty. The telegram is based on third statement of British fuel oil position corrections having been made considerably reducing figures as a result of British stocks in Mediterranean having been omitted from previous statement also incorrect method of calculating reserves. We are writing you fully regarding whole subject by first mail which is expected to leave London March 12th. We suggest that until you receive this letter no decision adverse to American tank tonnage position be taken. Meantime we suggest urgent necessity of Shipping Board, in consultation with best American experts, determining to what extend<t> double bottom shipments of fuel oil in British steamers necessarily shut grain. As we understand situation grain only has priority over fuel oil and this priority for March loading only. Signed Foley and Thomas. <12308.> 4845.

Sims            

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

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