File No. 763.72113/414
The Secretary of State to the French Ambassador ( Jusserand)
Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of November 24 requesting to be advised whether the American Government would deem it expedient shortly to address to the Scandinavian countries, Holland, Switzerland, and Spain a joint note with France and Great Britain for the purpose of securing to the Allies the possession of the stocks of goods gathered in those neutral [Page 272] countries for the benefit of the Central Empires with the object of resuming economic activities on the cessation of hostilities, to the injury of the “revictualling and trade of the Allies.”
In reply to Your Excellency’s inquiry I have to state that the Government of the United States has given careful consideration to the proposal of the French Government, and has reached the conclusion that at the present time it would be inexpedient for the Government of the United States to join in such representations to the neutral countries mentioned as are set forth in your note under acknowledgment.
Accept [etc.]