File No. 600.119/487
The Ambassador in Great Britain ( Page) to the Secretary of State
[Telegram]
London,
January 22, 1918, 11 a.m.
[Received 8.32 p.m.]
[Received 8.32 p.m.]
8342. For War Trade Board [from Sheldon]:
No. 52. Referring our No. 37.1 While an answer to Embassy’s note to Foreign Office concerning elimination navicerts has not been received as yet, I understand Foreign Office has telegraphed British Embassy, Washington, to take up matter direct with you. Informal session with Contraband Committee develops two sticking points in your proposal which will be subjects in discussion of matter by Embassy, Washington. These points are:
- (1)
- In cases where War Trade Board overrules London findings against issuance of license, British shall be advised and case reconsidered in light of Washington decision before such license shall be issued. Essential Washington and London be in accord on all export movements under license. British licensing follows Contraband Committee rulings on commodities and consignees. [Page 950] They contend, therefore, that American licenses should not be issued in cases where similar facilities are refused British shippers according to Contraband Committee rulings.
- (2)
- War Trade Board should recognize control machinery established through trade associations in northern neutral countries for guaranteeing individual import shipments. This does not necessitate adherence to British agreements with neutral trade associations but it necessitates the recognition of such machinery and consequently necessitates compliance on the part of American exporters and their neutral customers with conditions imposed by such existing machinery. For example, imports to Denmark from all countries including England are given facilities only when Danish Merchants’ Guild certificate has been issued to importer. Issuance British export license is conditioned upon the receipt of such guild certificate here. Contraband Committee attaches greatest importance to recognition this guarantee machinery in addition to general rationing agreements with respective neutral governments.
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