File No. 658.119/596

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

[Telegram]

1588. War Trade Board [from Sheldon]:

No. 1359. Department’s 1008, August 27, 7 p.m., your 1094. I consider that joint certification of manifests of Scandinavian and Dutch vessels by British and American consuls at South American ports of departure will be best solution. Practice would be for A[llied] B[lockade] C[ommittee] to inform British and American consuls of Allied Blockade Committee’s approval of cargo by telegram from London. On receipt of this approval British consul and American consul would jointly certify manifest.

Plan of territorial division not considered to be so practicable. Necessity for American certification of manifest is self-apparent in order that neutral vessels in question may be cleared from American ports of call with greatest expedition. American consular certification should be recognized by customs officials at American ports as authority to permit clearance without delay of additional reference of manifest to Washington. Upon receipt of your concurrence Foreign Office will telegraph British consuls confirming procedure and instructing them as to such joint action with American colleagues. At same time American consuls should be instructed by State Department.

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