Attitude of the United States Regarding Contraband of War, Visit and Search, etc.—Measures Affecting Neutral Trade: Control of Exports, Imports, and Bunker Coal; Black List of Firms1
1. For papers relating to these subjects and to Instructions for the Navy of the United States Governing Maritime Warfare, issued June 30, 1917, see Foreign Relations, 1918, Supplement 1, Vol. II.
Contents
- Consideration of the control of exports from the United
States—Suggestions as to measures for preventing trade beneficial to
Germany—Withdrawal by the British and French Governments of the black
list of firms in the United States—Advice of the Federal Reserve Board
to banks against transfers of funds to neutral countries for German
interests, May 10 (Documents 1–14)
- Discussions with British representatives during the visit of the
Balfour
mission—Report of the Joint Subcommittee on Export Licenses—Attitude of
the United States toward the British suggestions: reciprocal
undertakings desired of Great Britain—Reservation of previous American
contentions regarding rights of neutral trade and objections to Allied
practices (Documents 15–23)
- The development of an American policy of trade control—Authorization
of an embargo in the “Espionage Act,” June 15, 1917—Establishment of the
Exports Council, June 22—Instructions to American diplomatic and
consular officers to procure information on neutral trade; arrangements
for exchange of information with the Allied Governments—The President’s
statement on exports control, June 26—Appeals from the Allied
Governments for action in support of their policies (Documents 24–46)
- Proclamation of July 9, 1917, restricting exports—Statement to the
European neutrals, July 24, of the American policy of exports control;
request for information on their needs—Resolution of the Exports
Council, approved August 17, denying licenses for exports to enemies and
allies of enemies, etc.—Discussions with the British Government
regarding coordination of exports control and trade agreements with
neutrals—British proposal for a notice to neutral banks to refrain from
transactions in enemy interests—Establishment of the Exports
Administrative Board, August 21 (Documents 47–71)
- Proclamation of August 27, 1917, further restricting exports;
explanatory statements by the President and the Exports Administrative
Board—Bunker license rules of August 31 and October 5—Denial of licenses
for shipments through the war zone in sailing vessels—Proclamation of
September 7 restricting exports of coin, bullion, and currency—Refusal
of the United States to join in the proposed notice to neutral
banks—Suspension by the United States and the Allies of licenses for
exports to the northern European neutrals—Further discussion with the
Allies regarding agreements with the neutrals (Documents 72–100)
- Establishment of the War Trade Board, October 12—Press statement
regarding exports to neutrals—Discussions conducted through American
delegates to the Inter-Allied Conference—Proclamations of November 28,
further restricting exports and requiring licenses for certain
imports (Documents 101–128)
- Publication of the enemy trading list of firms in Latin American
countries, December 5—Instructions to consular officers in those
countries (Documents 129–139)