File No. 763.72113/414
The French Ambassador ( Jusserand ) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 27.]
Mr. Secretary of State: The question of the stocks which Germany is even now endeavoring to build up in neutral countries with a view to post bellum activities can not but engross the attention of the Government of the Republic by reason of the advantages that country would speedily reap therefrom in resuming economic undertakings on the cessation of hostilities to the injury of the revictualling and trade of the Allies.
Thus was my Government led to consider whether one of the solutions to be examined as a check to the schemes of the adversary could not be found in applying to enemy stocks the same rule as to enemy vessels sheltered in neutral harbors. The attachment which there might be occasion to bring into play would be of the nature of a conservatory measure which should be taken by the creditor states against the debtor Central Empires and affect the goods and property belonging to the said debtor Empires and held not by them but by third parties. The measure would call for:
- (1)
- A notice to the neutral states, holders of the encumbrances placed by the Allies upon such goods and property;
- (2)
- A warning to the same neutral states that they would be held responsible to the Allies for the removal, with their connivance or assistance, of the aforesaid stocks.
In bringing the foregoing suggestions to Your Excellency’s knowledge, I have the honor to beg you kindly to advise me whether the American Government would not deem it expedient shortly to address to the Scandinavian countries, Holland, Switzerland, and Spain a note signed by the United States, France, and Great Britain and intended ultimately to secure the Allies in the possession of the stocks gathered in those neutral countries for the benefit of the Central Empires.
Should the Federal Government coincide in these views, I would make it my duty to consult with it about the preparation of that diplomatic instrument whose final wording should be made the subject of a further exchange of views by the Allied Governments.
Accept [etc.]