File No. 656.119/845a
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain ( Page)
1433. For Sheldon [from War Trade Board]:
No. 1237. We have read with great interest your despatch 5267 on trade with northern neutrals.1 In view of possible misunderstandings which may still exist relative to our policy toward the Netherlands, we wish to point out that we have never advocated a policy of actually giving to the Netherlands any quota of rations prior to the conclusion of a general agreement. What we have, however, strongly urged is taking advantage of Germany’s refusal to let Dutch use their ships by making an offer which on account of Germany’s position Dutch would be unable to accept but the making of which offer would present clearly to the Dutch people the fact that responsibility for failure to receive imports rests with Germany and not with Associated Governments.
- Not printed.↩