File No. 763.72114/3165d

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France ( Sharp)1

[Telegram]

3043. As soon as general licenses shall have been issued by the War Trade Board under the provisions of the Trading with the Enemy Act, this Government proposes to put into operation the regular transmission, postage free, of letters, money orders, and valuables, as well as parcels by post, intended for or dispatched by prisoners of war, including interned civilians, held in whatever country.

Please inquire of the Government to which you are accredited whether, according to international usage, it will pass such mail matter in transit exempt from all postal duties, with the understanding that all such mail matter as originates in or is destined for the United States will be officially censored in this country before expedition or delivery.

Lansing
  1. The same, on the same date, to the Ambassador in Great Britain, No. 6192 (File No. 763.72114/3165e); to the Minister in Switzerland, No. 1307 (File No. 763.72114/3165f); to the Minister in the Netherlands, No. 894 (File No. 763.72114/3165g); and to the Minister in Denmark, No. 668 (File No. 763.72114/3165h).