600.119/1917: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in France (Bliss)
6900. For McFadden [from War Trade Board]: No. 566. For McCormick. Referring to Department’s 3750, January 2, to Sheldon, our 1968.65 While we favor sales of pork abroad to relieve over-supply in this country, we do not favor artificial means of keeping up the price of pork to American consumers, which only tends to keep the cost of living here at an artificially high price. We are therefore opposed to forcing pork shipments for purpose of maintaining domestic price. As to any pork or other commodities that A.B.C. considers it necessary for Central Powers to receive, we think such shipments should be openly permitted.
On second thought, our suggestions for methods of payment by the Central Powers contained in our 1968 do not seem to us well considered. Please consider these conclusions as modifying our 1968 to Sheldon.