611.629Ruhr/37: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France ( Herrick )
193. Your 239, May 11, 6 p.m.
Department proposes to issue following statement outlining procedure in making application for export licenses:
“American buyers intending to apply for export licenses for goods in occupied Germany must address their applications to the Rhineland High Commission at Coblenz, stating the date of contract, quantity and character of goods, the value of order, name of German supplier and submit evidence showing that contract was made prior to February 1st and that payment has been made either in whole or in part. Copy of contract should accompany application.
However, the authorities in occupation stipulate that applications must be accompanied by a statement covering the American interest in the shipment. Accordingly, until further notice American buyers should first submit the application direct to the American Embassy in Paris or Brussels, which will issue the statement required and forward it with the application to the American Consul at Coblenz, who in turn will present the application to the High Commission for approval. When application is returned, the Consul will, upon request, [Page 209] turn it over to the American buyer’s agent or representative, who should then make all arrangements with appropriate licensing office for delivery of the license and payment of export tax to the authorities in occupation.
Department is informed that time for receiving applications from American buyers for contracts made previously to February 1st has been extended for an indefinite period; that authorities in occupation on May 1st restored the German export tariff schedule as of 1921 instead of the uniform 10% tax which has temporarily been collected; that German firms are now authorized by their Government to deliver goods involved in commercial transactions made prior to February 20th, provided they have first obtained a German export license.”42
If you perceive any objection to this statement cable Department immediately; otherwise it will be released to the press on Tuesday afternoon.43
Inform embassies at Brussels and Berlin and Consul at Coblenz of details of plan, asking latter to cable Department if he will require extra assistance temporarily. Department will endeavor to have Department of Commerce instruct its Attachés at Paris and Brussels to render such assistance as may be required.
- Information telegraphed by the Embassy in Germany on April 27.↩
- In accordance with suggestions made by Ambassador Herrick the final paragraph of the statement was reworded as follows: “The Department is informed that the authorities in occupation on May 1st put into force an export tariff based on the German export tariff of 1921 instead of the 10% ad valorem tax which has been temporarily collected and, furthermore, that the time for receiving applications from American buyers for contracts made previously to February 1st has been extended for an indefinite period. However, American buyers are urged to expedite their applications as much as possible. The Department also understands that German firms are now authorized by their Government to deliver goods involved in commercial transactions made prior to February 20th, provided they have first obtained a German export license.” The statement was issued to the press on May 16.↩