662.11173 Barley/35: Telegram
The Chargé in Germany (Poole) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 23—9:15 a.m.]
215. Reference my 212 of October 18, 1 p.m.53 Complete embargo on American barley, according to very confidential information given me, is probable. Agrarian interests, making the question a domestic political issue, are bringing such pressure to bear on Foreign Office that it is now apparently helpless; but it has tried, on grounds of foreign political expediency, to stave off embargo. Agrarians not only allege that grade 2 barley is noxious but also claim that German soil and grain are threatened with contamination.
It is stated by the Foreign Office that scientific investigation will not be completed for several days, but barley’s noxious character is apparently already irrefutably proved.
A detailed report concerning difficulties with American barley in England is given in the Getreide Zeitung of October 20. The Embassy at London is being advised of this.
- Not printed.↩