861.00/5735

The British Appointed Ambassador ( Grey ) to the Secretary of State

No. 840

Sir: I have the honour to inform you that I have received a communication from my Government stating that the note recently addressed by the Supreme Council to Neutral and German Governments, as to the exercise of economic pressure on Bolshevist Russia, asks those Governments to cooperate with the Allied Governments in taking steps, among other of which, to prevent the banks from doing business with Bolshevist Russia.

In view of the abolition of censorship it is not clear what steps on the part of His Majesty’s Government can achieve the desired object. It does not seem possible in the present circumstances to introduce a new regulation under the Defence of the Realm Act which in any case would be open to evasion.

I am directed to enquire what steps the United States Government are taking under this head.

I have [etc.]

(For H. M. Ambassador)
H. G. Chilton