851.48/504: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)
4854. Your 5137, October 29, 9 a.m. Inasmuch as the vessel carrying the Red Cross supplies to France will be a Red Cross ship flying the American flag and carrying Red Cross supplies only, we regret that we are unable to accept the British condition that the vessel should clear at Gibraltar.
Adequate assurances regarding the cargo will already have been furnished, inasmuch as no cargo will be loaded which has not received the previous consent of the British Government. In order to provide further safeguards we would however, be glad to select an American Red Cross Commissioner to travel aboard the vessel and insure that there will be no deviation from the route of the ship or its cargo. [Page 196] Furthermore, in view of the commitments already made by the Germans with regard to the right of search, this call at Gibraltar might give them an opportunity to refuse to agree to free passage for the vessel thus defeating the purpose of the voyage, the importance of which Mr. Eden has already recognized.
Please see the Foreign Secretary at the earliest opportunity and explain this position to him. You may also add that, in my conversation with Lord Halifax yesterday, I explained our views in the matter and asked him as well to take the matter up urgently with his Government.
You will bear in mind in your conversations that publication here of any detention of an American Red Cross ship by the British in Gibraltar would necessarily result in unfavorable publicity.