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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Admiral William S. Benson, Chief of Naval Operations, to Rear Admiral Herbert O. Dunn, Commander, Azores Detachment, and Rear Admiral Albert P. Niblack, Commander, Patrol Forces Based at Gibraltar

Chronological Copy.                       File No. <16/4/34>

Cablegram Received <September 4, 1918.>  LOR

Origin Opnav Washington                      Ser. No. 917

N-1   Sept 5

C-5

     53 ADR.              SECRET.

Simsadus.

917. For Dunn and Niblack. Naval Attache, Lisbon, Portugal,1 reports as follows QUOTE Inasmuch the expected food ship from Africa has suddenly failed the Madeira Islands face starvation within a week.2 The Minister of Interior and Governor Maderia Islands appealed to me to have U. S. Navy send immediately a cargo of corn from the Azore Islands or Gibraltar. I have telegraphed both places at length. There is no corn here. It is requested Navy Department second this. It is earnestly approved by Minister UNQUOTE Department desires information and report as to affording immediate relief from either place.3 16004 917.

Benson                  

4:39 a.m., September 5, 1918.

RETRANSMIT.

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

Footnote 1: Lt. Cmdr. Edward Breck.

Footnote 2: The Madeira Islands, which is situated in the Atlantic Ocean, some 620 miles southwest of Portugal and some 320 miles from the African coast, was then a colony of Portugal.

Footnote 3: It appears that a food shipment bound en route from the Cape of Good Hope may have been diverted to the Madiera Islands.