File No. 600.119/1686a
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Great Britain ( Laughlin)
2826. For Sheldon [from War Trade Board]:
No. 1596. Department’s 2661, our 1207, November 6, with reference to the joint certification by British and American consuls in South America, was prepared by us on September 13, but without our knowledge was held up in the Department, for consideration, until yesterday. In view of your subsequent cables in this connection, disregard our 1207. The following is text of circular cablegram dispatched by Department to American consuls in South America:
British consuls at South American ports of departure now certify manifests of Scandinavian and Dutch vessels proceeding from South America to Scandinavia and Holland. Henceforth such certification will be made jointly by British and American consuls, at ports where both countries have consular representatives and by the consular representative of either country at ports at which only one of these countries has a consular representative. You are authorized by Department to carry out such instructions in this connection as may be issued to you by the American Embassy at London.
We suggest that you dispatch a circular cable to American consuls at South American ports, explaining to them in detail the procedure to be followed and the functions to be performed by them. Such cablegram should be directed to the American consulates at Barranquilla, Colombia; Guayaquil, Ecuador; Callao-Lima, Peru; Valparaiso, Chile; Buenos Aires, Argentine; Montevideo, Uruguay; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Georgetown, British Guiana, with instructions to each to repeat to necessary consuls in their respective territories. Please furnish us with text such circular cable.
We assume that at ports at which both countries are not represented, manifests will be examined by the consular officer of the country that is represented.