File No. 341.115M83/12
The Minister in the Netherlands (Van Dyke) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3.10 p. m.]
308. Your 167, 30th. Have made vigorous representation to Over-sea Trust. They answer that as private corporation they have discretion regarding consignment; they judge stock of oil and fats at Rotterdam already overabundant for Dutch consumption; most dealers have refused to give information on this point. To accept [Page 277] more would awaken suspicion of reexportation and destroy confidence of British Government in Oversea Trust, which is designed to guarantee consumption of imports in Holland, therefore, trust decline consignment of fats and oils at present and cannot instruct Holland-America Line to ship. Only remedy is for Department to ask British Government to advise and authorize trust to accept specific lots. Written despatch follows.