File No. 103.96/89b
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain ( Page)
5841. For McCormick from Jones:
Our 9. Your 2 received. England’s agreement with Norwegian shipowners is tentative, and according to English here has never been signed. To complete it, England must have our cooperation and agreement to give bunkers under their direction. England by securing additional Norwegian tonnage has re-established sailings of Blue Funnel Line from United States Pacific to Far East with British vessels. Our proposition divide 50–50 all Norwegian tonnage would be by agreement with England to complete their tentative arrangement and enable them enforce same with Norway. Above divide was after allowing for Norway’s necessary trades. If England is to continue to dominate the tonnage situation of the world by securing control of Norway, which is largest owner of tonnage [Page 639] under consideration, consequences probably serious for our country and prosecution of the war, as when they allot tonnage to us for the carriage of our necessary supplies on this side, we will undoubtedly not receive enough judging by the experience of France and Italy. We are constantly sending increasing number of American vessels France and Italy crippling our carrying capacity here of war necessities and only way replace them is by securing those of northern neutrals. Feel sure if arrangement as proposed is accepted by England, it will make for greater confidence on all sides and assure a working out of the tonnage and food and munition problems of the war more efficiently and satisfactorily. Situation already very serious.