File No. 611.006/502

The Ambassador in Great Britain ( Page ) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

1619. War Trade Board for McCormick [from Sheldon]:

No. 1370. Referring to Department’s telegram to the Embassy No. 1127, August 31, 7 p.m. The instructions contained therein as to informally acquainting various officials with the statement are being carried out. From informal conversations with the British and the heads of some of our missions here [I feel] called upon to inform [you] that in my opinion the additional and detailed data on the question of United States imports which it is announced will be sent in a subsequent cable will, if convincing, be much more effective than any general statement of policy in inducing the authorities of the Associated Governments to restrict their import programs and general use of tonnage in such a manner as will make possible our full military programs which all seem to desire to have carried out for next year. I therefore strongly urge you to send data in detail with the quickest despatch. I need hardly add that the more drastic the cuts are that are made in our own imports program when the details are completed the easier it will be to get the other Governments to reduce their programs to a point which will make possible the military program desired. I suggest that you see in this connection telegram from Stevens and Rublee to Hurley, Ship Mission 289 [489], Embassy’s 1525, August 31, 6 p.m.

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