File No. 652.119/386
The Ambassador in France (Sharp) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 1, 1918, 4.37 p.m.]
2973. At a meeting in my office yesterday at which were present Colonel Dawes and other members of the Franco-American Bureau of Purchases a copy of the following resolutions was handed me with the request that it be telegraphed to the Department.
The Franco-American Bureau of Purchases in Spain, intended to assure unity of action in that country for the purpose of their procuring the resources which it can furnish for the needs of France and the American Army, was constituted today, December 28, 1917, Paris.
A mission sent by the French Government to Madrid will immediately enter into negotiations for the purpose of obtaining from the Spanish Government the necessary facilities for purchases and exportation as well as for financial agreements enabling these purchases to be effected.
The bureau considers that in order to facilitate these negotiations—
- (1)
- The United States without declaring an effective embargo upon all exportations from the United States to Spain should nevertheless suppress the system of exceptional permits now in force;
- (2)
- The United States should place in the hands of the American Ambassador at Madrid and in his hands alone the power of delivering export permits from the United States to Spain;
- (3)
- This Ambassador should receive instructions to make use of the power placed in his hands with a view to facilitating the negotiations above mentioned;
- (4)
- In all matters relating to purchases in Spain for the needs of France and of the American Army the Ambassador [Page 1228] should act in perfect agreement with the Franco-American Bureau, Paris, and should always confer with it in advance.
A full discussion followed between the members of the bureau as to the best means of giving effect to these resolutions and particularly as to what action should be taken in reference to sending representatives down to Spain to discuss the subject with Ambassador Willard. Mr. J. R. Christie and Mr. August Belmont were selected as the American representatives while a list of those to represent France was at the same time submitted. By experience and knowledge of conditions in Spain, Mr. Christie is peculiarly qualified for the duties entrusted to him and the fact that Mr. Belmont will soon, after his visit to Spain, return to America will enable him to report to the Department very fully the result of his observations. The utmost harmony of views between all those present and the necessity for the greatest expedition in acquittance was voiced. I understand recently certain measures of interdiction against purchases in Spain have been formulated by the French Government and some action will have to be taken in modifying these measures. It was reported by the French delegates present that the French Ambassador, Mr. Thierry, had just telegraphed that the Spanish Government was very much concerned over the situation all around both as it concerns getting cotton and oil from the United States as well as the exportation of Spanish products to France. The opinion was expressed that it was an opportune time to get the concessions from Spain.
Those chosen to go to Spain are expected to leave within the next three or four days.