The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Page)
2103. Your 2775, September 9. Department understands from your cables British authorities now willing to have applications and proofs of American owners of all classes of goods of German, Austrian, and Turkish origin presented to the British Embassy here [Page 233] through foreign trade adviser, State Department acting unofficially. Department and importers were pleased to learn from communications from the Embassy at this Capital that it had notified many importers that hereafter all applications must come through foreign trade adviser, who will act informally and as the representative of the importers.
With this understanding many applications of importers who have incurred liabilities and made purchases without notice of the British order in council of March 11 are already in the hands of the foreign trade adviser and numberless others now in preparation.
Department does not understand reference in foreign note to Holland alone and assumes that action taken will apply alike to all neutral countries and ports.
Department informed by foreign trade adviser who has been and still is acting unofficially that Embassy promised on September 7 to advise him at an early date of the details and final formalities of the arrangement, accompanied by the statement that it was expected that this information would be forthcoming not later than September 9. This information has not yet been received and the foreign trade adviser is not yet in possession of the information necessary to enable him to present any application to the Embassy.
Under the circumstances and with particular reference to the assurances conveyed in your 2759 of September 6, Department feels that foreign trade adviser and the American importers themselves are entitled to have this information without further delay.
You will lose no time in presenting these facts informally, and without recognizing any of the British orders in council relating to this subject, and urge the importance of the matter to the Foreign Office.