File No. 763.72112/3056
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Page) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8.10 p. m.]
5014. My 5003. At a further conference yesterday with Lord Grey and Lord Robert Cecil it came out that they had had no particular wish to make a black list in the United States, but since it was of military importance to make such a list in certain South American countries, they thought it best to include all countries. They will reduce the list in the United States and will not add to it as they will elsewhere. I again explained at length that such actions, while agreeable, did not touch the root of the matter. Further conferences are to follow.
It came out also that the British Government has not the slightest idea of entering any trade agreement after the war which would discriminate against trade with the United States. “We could not afford to if we so wish,” Grey remarked. “Your commercial good will will be more useful to us than it has ever been.”