File No. 652.119/2656

The Commercial Adviser of the British Embassy ( Crawford ) to the Counselor for the Department of State ( Polk )

My Dear Mr. Counsellor: With reference to your letter of the 30th of October last1 regarding a communication from the United States Ambassador in Madrid, in which the manager of the Vacuum Oil Co. is quoted as stating that there was a shortage of oil in Spain, we have now received a telegram on the subject from London, in which the British Ambassador was informed on December 3 that there was only about a fortnight’s supply.

I am desired to point out that His Majesty’s Government consider it important, without cutting supplies off entirely, that these supplies should be kept as low as possible, thus increasing Spanish dependence upon the Allies, who are the only source from which lubricating oil can be obtained.

Believe me [etc.]

Richard Crawford
  1. Not printed.