File No. 600.119/1440a

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

[Telegram]

1673. For Sheldon [from War Trade Board]:

No. 1294. The following is the text of a cable to Edwards1 in reply to a cable from him indicating some uncertainty as to the status of the inter-Allied trade committee at The Hague and its relations to the ministers at The Hague and to A[llied] B[lockade] C[ommittee]:

Our understanding of the status of the inter-Allied trade committees2 in northern neutrals is that these committees are in the nature of subcommittees of the War Trade Board and the similar blockade organizations of the Associated Governments. As such, these committees are not subordinate to or dependent upon A. B. C., London, neither are they committees of representatives of the ministers of the Associated Governments. The members of the inter-Allied [Page 999] trade committee are, of course, attached to legations and should work in closest possible harmony with minister. At the same time, we, with the approval of the State Department, retain for our representatives the right to communicate their views direct to the War Trade Board. Of course, such communications pass through the legation, giving the ministers an opportunity to present to the Department of State any points in which the ministers do not concur with the views of our representatives. It is also, of course, understood that no action should be taken by our representatives over an objection of a minister until the matter has been referred for decision to Washington. With reference to relations to A. B. C, these relations should also be of the closest character and it is expected that the inter-Allied trade committees, recognizing the central position of the Allied Blockade Committee, and its general oversight over entire northern neutral situation, will be inclined to concur in recommendations of A. B. C. At the same time the A. B. C. does not assume to direct inter-Allied trade committee or to compel acceptance of its views unless these are expressly concurred in by Associated Governments. The success of foreign organization as at present constituted depends largely upon close and friendly cooperation between A. B. C. and inter-Allied trade committees and we are happy to note that there is every indication that such a relationship now prevails.

Lansing
  1. Commercial attaché and War Trade Board representative in the Netherlands.
  2. For the establishment of these committees, see telegram from the Ambassador in Great Britain, No. 9311, Apr. 2, ante, p. 978.