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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

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

CABLEGRAM SENT                    November 11 1918.   Y 8

To Discom New York       Ser. No.  SM 791

Prep. By.  C-3      Ap’vd. By  Curtin  Cipher Clear

Shipmission 791 For Hurley and Gay. We have sent the following cablegram to Secretary Baker:1

          Quote the Armistice has been signed and that this, we assume, changes entirely the situation with regards to the transport of American troops and munitions. You will doubtless cease sending troops and the munitions needed by our troops now in France will be greatly reduced.

          The British have already arranged to decrease November loadings in America of British and French munitions by 300,000 tons and to utilize the ton<n>age so released in carrying food. The important thing to do now is to use every available ship for feeding the starving peoples.

          We are requested by the British to ask if you cannot release so much of 150,000 tons of British ton<n>age assigned for your loading in November as has not yet been used, in order that these ships also may be loaded with food. Please answer promptly. END QUOTE 195011 Stevens Rublee. SM 791

Sims                   

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

Footnote 1: Secretary of War Newton D. Baker.

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