File No. 765.72112/3198
The British Embassy to the Department of State
The American Ambassador in London having suggested the desirability of some explanation of the principles on which the policy of the British Government is based in dealing with the question of the supply of bunker coal, the following memorandum has been drawn up for public information:
His Majesty’s Government have for some time past found it necessary, owing to the shortage and increasing scarcity of tonnage, to make special arrangements at British ports and coaling stations abroad whereby coaling facilities of all kinds should be reserved for vessels belonging to British and Allied owners and to neutral owners who have undertaken to utilize their vessels in such a way that British or Allied interests are benefitted. His Majesty’s Government are in fact unable to guarantee that facilities can be provided to other ships.