File No. 656.119/219

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain ( Page )1

[Telegram]

6957. For Sheldon [from War Trade Board]:

No. 214. Embassy No. 9071, March 15, 8 p.m. Your No. 290. We have informed the Dutch of our intention in the event of requisitioning— [Page 1416]

(1)
To restore equivalent tonnage as soon as possible after the war,
(2)
To insure to the owners adequate compensation for the use of their ships,
(3)
To facilitate Holland’s securing from North America or South America 100,000 tons of bread cereals,
(4)
To bunker freely and not to detain Dutch ships sent to lift this cereal,
(5)
To facilitate Dutch colonial trade, and
(6)
To permit Nieuw Amsterdam to return and take cargo of rice and coffee.

In view of the matters which will still remain for negotiation after requisitioning, such as Belgian relief, etc., we regard it as most important that no further promises be made to Holland in connection with requisitioning and you will please avoid making or participating in any commitments other than as above set out.

Repeat to Garrett.

Lansing
  1. See last sentence for instruction to repeat to Garrett, U. S. Minister in the Netherlands.