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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Herbert Hoover, Director, United States Food Administration, to Joseph P. Cotton, United States Staff Expert, Allied Maritime Transport Council

Chronological Copy.                           File No. <42-2-4>

Cablegram Received <September 7, 1918.>  EJW

Origin    Opnav Washington.                   Ser. No. 1123

     C-3  8 Sept

     B.

Simsadus.

1123. For Cotton, American Embassy,your telegram 2021 10 days in transmission. We have arranged for using no Trans-Atlantic tonnage for food imports except some minor liner space and 2 tankers for oil. Therefore our food import program can not interest Allies and should be sufficient evidence of our stripping to the bone. Assurances on the lines you request are being given through War Trade Board and partially by Shipping. In result we should find more tonnage than Sherman’s estimate.2 Wish you would consult Baker.3 It is extremely dangerous to cut into priority food tonnage. I fear it works proportionate injustice to France,Italy and even endangers England food supplies. I do not believe it is necessary but Baker can inform you fully. Signed Hoover. 14007 1123.

Benson.       

7:57 a.m. Sept 8 1918.

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

Footnote 1: Cotton’s cable has not been found.

Footnote 2: Presumably, another staff expert, L.H. Shearman.

Footnote 3: Possibly, Lt. Cmdr. George Barr Baker who worked for VAdm. William S. Sims on matters relating to shipping. Hurley, Bridge to France: 257.

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