File No. 763.72112/2754
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Page) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3.45 p. m.]
4610. My 4606, July 25, 1 p. m. In reply to a question in the House of Commons yesterday regarding publication of statutory black list Lord Robert Cecil said:
I have noticed the criticisms referred to. They appear to be largely based on misapprehension. The action taken by His Majesty’s Government is not novel. The act under which the statutory list for the United States has recently been issued was passed last December and lists have already been published referring to most neutral countries since then. Nor are the provisions of the act unduly stringent. By the French law all persons of enemy nationality, wherever living, are enemies of France, whatever their conduct, during the present war, and it is illegal for French subjects to trade with them. By the British law only those persons, whatever be their nationality, who have shown themselves hostile to this country are put upon the list of persons with whom British subjects may not deal. Nor do we seek by this list to affect the cooperative action of neutral citizens. All we have done is to declare that British shipping, British goods, and British credit should not be used for the support and enrichment of those who are actively assisting our enemies. If in the compilation of the list any persons have been unjustly included, they will be removed. And as I have more than once stated, great care will be taken in applying the law to existing contracts to avoid anything in the nature of injustice, I may add that we are informed that the German Government have taken action of a similar character.