File No. 600.119/1420
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain ( Page)
1803. For Sheldon [from War Trade Board]:
No. 1340. Embassy’s 2265, your 1518, September 27, 4 p.m. Without waiting for the conclusion of the rerouting agreement, we decided some days ago to grant immediately licenses for the export of oil-well supplies where urgently needed to continue the production, when such production was in any way necessary for war needs. Oil-well supplies will be insufficient for American and Allied needs, and it will be necessary for all parties to reduce demands to the minimum. Sir Henry Babington-Smith at our request is supplying schedule of British necessary requirements, including Dutch Shell. Licenses will be granted at once for supplies urgently needed to be deducted from allotment to be subsequently determined.