File No. 763.72112/2869
The Chargé in Great Britain ( Laughlin ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8 p. m.]
4755. In reply to representations based on your 3654, August 9, Foreign Office replies that having regard to the importance which they attach to cutting off all enemy supplies, the French and British Governments have concluded to make every endeavor to prevent as [Page 513] far as possible tobacco from reaching the enemy. With this object in view British Government has again obtained the consent of the Netherlands Oversea Trust to accept consignment of tobacco. Similarly in the case of tobacco for Scandinavia, British Government has arranged that all shipments shall be covered by the usual guarantee in force in those countries. However, British Government will take into careful consideration the question of United States contracts entered into in good faith and prior to notice of this change of attitude.
Referring to representations based on your 3631, August 4,1 Foreign Office adds that it would appear that strictly speaking these cargoes are not carried by British Government’s concession of August 3 [5] cabled in my 4661. However, in order to meet wishes of United States Government, British Government is prepared to extend that concession so that all shipments made before August 31, provided that tobacco has been both bought and paid for prior to August 4, need neither be consigned to Netherlands Oversea Trust nor covered by guarantee provided for in the case of Scandinavian countries.
- Not printed.↩