841.612/44: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Kellogg)
52. Your 39, January 26, noon.9 Governor of Maine and delegation of prominent dealers called at Department today urging removal of embargo. They are discussing matter with the President January 31.
United States Department of Agriculture is prepared to inspect potatoes for export and to give certificate of freedom from disease and infestation by beetle. Certificate would follow requirement of British order of 1920.
It is understood that either British Minister of Agriculture or responsible official of Ministry informed L. S. Bean and O. G. Bishop, of Presque Isle, Maine, who were in England in December representing Maine growers, that British Government would permit entry shipments accompanied by federal certificate of freedom from infestation. New Brunswick shipments are admitted on such certificates issued, it is understood, only by provincial agricultural authorities.
Please call personally at Foreign Office, leave memorandum as to certificates that will be given by United States Department of Agriculture, and urge removal of embargo as obviously discriminatory, and as apparently not justified by health considerations. For data on latter see Department’s telegram No. 37, January 17, 6 p.m.9
[Paraphrase.] The season for potato shipping will extend until June 1. Removal of the British embargo will afford valuable outlet for bumper Maine crop. Department requests your most energetic personal efforts in this matter. [End paraphrase.]