Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1918, Supplement 1, The World War, Volume II

File No. 763.72112/8594

The Director of the Bureau of War Trade Intelligence of the War Trade Board ( Fuller) to Major Grimprel of the French High Commission¹

Washington, February 19, 1918.

Dear Major Grimprel: I write to confirm the understanding reached by you, Mr. Broderick of the British Embassy, and myself concerning cooperation in making changes in the liste noire générale, the British statutory list, and the United States enemy trading list. That understanding covered the following points:

1. No changes will be made in the lists without a preliminary reference by the Government proposing the changes to the other two Governments. The notifications will be given by the Bureau of War Trade Intelligence to the French High Commission and the British Embassy in Washington and by either of the latter to the Bureau of War Trade Intelligence in Washington.

2. Changes mutually agreed upon will be published by the three Governments as nearly as practicable on the same dates.

3. Because of the greater familiarity of the British Government with war conditions in northern European countries, proposals for changes in the lists for Europe, excepting Spain and Switzerland, will be discussed in London. The decisions will be guided by the policy of the British Government in so far as they are compatible with the laws and regulations of France and the United States.

4. Proposals for changes in the lists for Spain and Morocco will be discussed in Paris by representatives of the three Governments. The decisions will be guided by policies recommended by the French Government in so far as they are compatible with the laws and regulations of Great Britain and of the United States.

5. The United States will not publish an enemy trading list for Switzerland.

6. Proposals for changes in the lists for Latin America will be discussed in Washington. The decisions will be guided by the policies of the United States in so far as they are compatible with French and British laws and regulations, respectively.

7. In preparing an enemy trading list for European countries, excepting Spain and Switzerland, the United States Bureau of War Trade Intelligence has conferred, through its representative, with representatives of the British Government in London and with the British Embassy in Washington.

8. Similarly we have conferred with you in preparing our enemy trading list for Spain and Morocco and have convinced ourselves that every name on the liste noire générale for these countries should be placed upon the enemy trading list under our laws and regulations. Therefore, our revised list, which is now nearly ready for the printer, will correspond exactly with the liste noire générale as far as Spain and Morocco are concerned.

9. The liste noire générale, the British statutory list, and the enemy trading list for Latin America now are under process of amendment in pursuance of the principles of our understanding.

10. Certain details of procedure are to be defined in later communications between us.

If I have stated our understanding correctly I should appreciate a written acknowledgment.

Yours very sincerely,

[

Fuller

]

1. The same, mutatis mutandis, to the Assistant Commercial Adviser of the British Embassy (Broderick). Letter of transmittal from the War Trade Board to the Department of State not printed.