File No. 763.72112/3267a
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain ( Page)
4224. Department has had several interviews with Crawford, of British Embassy, on subject of bunker agreement. Several cases have arisen recently where American steamship lines have been told that they could not charter or use ships of other neutral countries, which ships had signed bunker agreement, unless American company agreed to bind not only chartered ships but also all the ships owned by the American company. Careful examination of bunker agreement and statement of subordinate British official indicates an intention to secure control of all neutral shipping through so-called agreement. If the agreement were limited to the chartered ships which signed agreement, Department could understand position of British Government, but the attempt to control American ships not requiring British facilities is entirely unreasonable and can not possibly be permitted by this Government. Crawford states he has cabled in detail to his Government views of the Department. Investigate subject and report as promptly as possible any information you can gather.