File No. 300.115/28384b
The Foreign Trade Adviser of the Department of State (Fleming) to the Commercial Adviser of the British Embassy (Crawford)
My Dear Sir Richard : We were informed through the American Ambassador at London under date of September 25, 1915, that the Foreign Office stated that all applications to His Majesty’s Government that goods may be allowed to proceed without interference should be made before the 1st November, 1915.
In the short period which has intervened since this notice was received it has been impracticable for all the interested parties to present their cases to this office and it is altogether improbable that all of them will be able to do so before November 1, 1915. It has also been impossible, up to the present time, for me to examine all the cases presented to me and it will be impracticable for me to examine all the cases presented by November 1.
[Page 240]Adherence to the limitation imposed would seem to work an injustice and not to be in keeping with the assurances given by your Government that it is not their purpose to injure neutrals.
In view of the announced attitude of your Government it would seem that such action should be taken by your Government as will reasonably allow all American importers who have contracted with legal liability to pay for goods of German, Austrian, or Turkish origin before March 15, 1915, and therefore without notice of the British order in council, to bring these goods forward.
Will you be good enough to take this matter up with your Government with a view to an understanding that the time limit indicated be extended until December 1, next, or some other satisfactory arrangement be made?
Very truly yours,