File No. 600.119/455a
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain ( Page)
5961. For McCormick from War Trade Board:
Our No. 17. In view of growing feeling on part northern neutrals against our embargo board are in favor of allowing one or two cargoes to be sent forward at once to Norway, Denmark, Holland and Sweden of selected commodities such as kerosene or coffee or lubricating oil. We believe this would aid negotiations and create better feeling on the part of people in these countries, offsetting some of the German influence. A decision to do this now should have a good effect in these countries at the Christmas season. Please cable your advice to-morrow as must act promptly.
[For suggestions as to the temporary employment of Swedish ships, see letter from the Commercial Adviser of the British [Page 1081] Embassy, December 6, 1917, and telegram to the Ambassador in Great Britain, No. 5982, December 7, post, pages 1151 and 1153, respectively.]