File No. 763.72112/2897

The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Great Britain (Laughlin)

[Telegram]

3727. Department’s 3549, July 21, 6 p. m., and 3654, August 9, 5 p. m., Commercial Adviser British Embassy stated yesterday that he was just informed that tobacco shipments for Holland, if purchased and paid for prior to August 1, 1916, may go forward without consignment to Netherlands Oversea Trust up to August 31. This proposed arrangement if announced earlier might have gone far toward covering difficulties re contracts already entered into pending discussion future arrangements, but in view of short period—nine days—within which arrangements for shipment to seaboard, loading, and dispatch vessel must be made, it is of little practicable utility. Unofficially endeavor have period for shipment extended for at least three weeks after August 31, so that contracts actually entered into may be taken care of.

Lansing