Naval History and Heritage Command

George I. Gay, Commissioner, Planning Division, to Raymond B. Stevens, Vice-Chairman, United States Shipping Board and United States Representative, Allied Maritime Transport Council

Chronological Copy.                     File No.

Cablegram Received  May <25, 1918,> 09426    RWS

Origin    Washington (Opnav)       Ser. No. S. B. 129

C-3 May 26

CONFIDENTIAL

29 ADR

Simsadus:

Boards Navy 129 from Gay to Stevens Consular agent at Amapala, Honduras,1 reports that Pacific Steam Navigation Company owned by British interests will start a service of large vessels between San Francisco, Cal., and Central American and South American ports touching at Amapala, Honduras. Consular agent is seriously alarmed at prospect of British taking away United States trade and foresees preference freight rates and other discriminations in favor of English goods. If you can have above report investigated so that it can be denied or explained we can quell such harmful suspicion. Our boards Navy 117 asked for information which we want to use partly for xxx same general purpose. We wrote you May 17th explaining situation.2 20025.

Benson.