661.119/541a
The Secretary of State to All Diplomatic and Consular Officers
Gentlemen: There is enclosed herewith for your information and careful study an announcement made by the Department of State on July 7, 1920, concerning the removal of restrictions on trade and communication with Soviet Russia.10
Recognition of the faction in control at Moscow has never been contemplated. In its announcement the Department has endeavored to forestall any possible misconstruction of its action or any false inferences that might be drawn therefrom.
[Page 719]You will, therefore, take no action which, officially or unofficially, directly or indirectly, assists or facilitates commercial or other dealings between American citizens, whether domiciled in the United States or in foreign parts, and any persons, interests or institutions domiciled within that part of Russia now under the control of the so-called Bolshevist authorities, or which may in any way forward the interests of those authorities.
Should it seem desirable you may bring the contents of the foregoing to the attention of any officials of the government to which you are accredited, or that of the local authorities in your district.
If the situation of your office is such that you can watch shipments to and from Soviet Russia, whether in transit to or from the United States or not, you will do so and report frequently by mail to the Department, particular reference to the kinds of merchandise sent and received, the routes and means of transportation, the methods of payment, the general attitude prevailing among the business men of your district towards this trade and toward the persons engaged therein and the names of the merchants so trading.
The five War Trade Board Rulings in question are enclosed herewith.11
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