The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Page)
2850. Your 3710, February 4, and latter part of Department’s 2805, January 31.2 Request for cyanide was made by Department itself owing to indispensability of peroxide and other bleaching materials to textile industries in this country, to say nothing of mining industry. In Department’s December 27 it was suggested [Page 563] that consignment be made to Secretary of Commerce for release against bond limiting cyanide itself to United States and Mexico, and if necessary, bleaching products can be limited to United States. Cyanide would have to be turned over to Roessler and Hasslacher Chemical Company as they have monopoly conversion cyanide to bleaching compounds. Cyanide has been paid for and no exchange of money would be involved. The delay has already greatly aroused many members of Congress and announcement of refusal would very probably precipitate drastic action. Some 700 letters from various Senators, Representatives, and textile factories have been received in which Government urged to obtain supplies. Endeavor obtain prompt reconsideration this matter. Similar cablegram being sent to Embassy Paris.1