File No. 600.119/1369
The Ambassador in France ( Sharp) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11.19 p.m.]
5135. War Trade Board [from McFadden]:
No. 432. Refer to your No. 296, Department’s No. 5640, September 17. In reply thereto, we venture to point out the practical difficulties and objections in connection with the organization of a strong A. B. C. in Madrid: First, we do not think the British or [Page 996] French Blockade Ministries would agree to appoint official representatives of the character and with the authority required in order to make committee effective; second, on the other hand in the event of the A. B. C. sitting in Paris, the French Government would probably officially appoint their Blockade [Minister] or some other officer of the Government of corresponding authority, and under such circumstances we believe that the British sooner or later would be willing to appoint a suitable delegate if urged by the War Trade Board; third, furthermore, as the blockade policy and military exigencies are so closely related, particularly as applied to Spain, therefore, Paris appears to us to be the logical point to consider these questions, and we beg to observe that we are under the impression, judging from our correspondence, that the relation of blockade policy and A.E.F. military exigencies [is] not altogether appreciated in Madrid; fourth, judging by our official discussions, etc., with the Blockade Ministry during the past six months, we are of the impression that we will have no difficulty in agreeing with them as to policy not only in Switzerland, but also as to Spain, and we think they will be willing to subordinate their views to what may seem to be best in the military interests of the United States Government as regards blockade policy. In either of these countries, the organization of the A. B. C. they consider a matter of importance, and they and we are confident that by this means we will be able to obtain a common policy as regards these countries. We believe the wishes of the War Trade Board will be the dominating influence in the determination of blockade questions by a Paris A. B. C. McFadden.