File No. 300.115/9052
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Page)
3497. Your 3344, December 4.1 Metz, American representative Farbwerke Hoechst, to whom permit granted, informs Department that British Consul General at Rotterdam regards permits as having lapsed although 212,750 ampules salvarsan, making balance of 6 months’ supply, arrived in Rotterdam on May 15 and British Consul General notified. Department does not believe that this permit, which was not granted under terms unofficial arrangement with British Embassy here but for broad humanitarian reasons and urgent need goods in United States, should be regarded as lapsed, but even if so regarded, arrival on May 15 and notification British Consul General brings it within terms imposed by British Government in such cases. British Consul General consented to allow goods to go forward on Ryndam sailing May 27, but this was impossible as German Government had only allowed them to go forward to Rotterdam consigned to German Minister, Hague, with understanding that they could not be released till previous consignment on Nieuw Amsterdam arrived in United States and German Government was satisfied that proper distribution would be made. Nieuw Amsterdam did not arrive till May 24 and only several days later did goods come in Metz’s possession. Department also informed company willing to ship novocaine for which assurances given in your 3608, January 20, if assured of uninterrupted shipment from Rotterdam. Stock novocaine exhausted and need for drugs most pressing. It will be some months before manufacture in United States can be established due to difficulty of obtaining necessary machinery and apparatus under present conditions. Orders for novocaine for United States Government have been on file with Metz since November. Unofficially urge upon British Government necessity of instructing British Consul General at Rotterdam to allow these consignments salvarsan and novocaine uninterrupted shipment and press for favorable reply.