600.119/1807: Telegram
The Chargé in Great Britain (Laughlin) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received December 13—7:08 p.m.]
4599. War Trade Board [from Sheldon]: Number 2088. Your 1815. Department’s 3354, December 10. Will advise you December 17 of proposed increase Northern Neutral cotton ration. A.B.C. agrees in principle and has submitted matter of rationing and [to?] statistical subcommittee for recommendations as to amount of increase. Suggest you examine political considerations in connection with proposition. French delegate on A.B.C. calls attention to need of protection by French and Belgian textile interests, whose mills have been destroyed or seriously crippled. French advise informally that they are in need of protection for their textile industries from competition which would arise in Netherlands were Dutch to secure heavy quantities of raw cotton.