File No. 300.115/28351b

The Foreign Trade Adviser of the Department of State (Rose) to the Commercial Adviser of the British Embassy (Crawford)

My Dear Sir Richard : In order that there may be no possible misunderstanding which might cause complications in the future, [Page 214] in regard to the effect of the negotiations and arrangements which are so pleasantly being conducted by us in the matter of facilitating the shipment of goods to and from countries at war with your Government and to neutral countries contiguous thereto, it seems advisable that we should put on record our understanding that these negotiations and arrangements are to be regarded as informal and unofficial and that neither of our Governments is in any way committed thereby.

Will you therefore be good enough to write me a letter confirming the above statement of our understanding of the matter.

I am [etc.]

Robert F. Rose