File No. 841.731/323

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Page)

[Telegram]

1107. Your 1291, December 18.2 Department receiving many protests from commercial organizations trading with Smith American countries against position of British Government in refusing to permit [Page 706] telegrams in code passing between the United States and certain South American countries. Please bring this situation to attention of Foreign Office, pointing out that telegrams to and from United States and Argentine Republic and other South American countries are messages between neutral countries entirely outside war zone. The matter of coding messages to South America is one of greatest importance to American commercial houses and one in which this Government is deeply interested. Urge early reply.

Bryan