File No. 341.115St2/151
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Page)
1786. Department’s attention called to prolonged detention steamers Polarine, Platuria, and Pioneer. Standard Oil Company complains justly, as this Government believes, against prolonged detentions vessels this character carrying usual cargoes consigned in good faith to long-established subsidiaries in neutral countries. Company further points out that since supplies from Russia and Roumania have been prevented from entering Scandinavian countries it expected large increase in business with them, but finds that during first five months this year total shipments of all petroleum products to these countries are less than for same period last year although business in previous years steadily increased.
Request release these vessels if examination has not disclosed evidence illicit destination cargoes.