300.115(39)/137: Telegram
The Chargé in Germany (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:41 p.m.]
2066. The Department’s 880, November 14, 8 p.m. and previous. Further representations were made to the Foreign Office on November 14 and 15 in an effort to expedite the release of the detained wood pulp cargoes. Although the subject matter of the Department’s 846, November 9, 5 p.m., was discussed during the conversation at the Foreign Office, (referred to in my 2030, November 11, 5 p.m.) an aide-mémoire containing most of the considerations set forth therein was left with a Foreign Office official in the Legal Division in charge of Prize Court cases on November 14.
Yesterday I saw State Secretary Weizsaecker and left with him a memorandum with special reference to the cargoes for which evidence as to American consumption had been submitted to the Department. It was pointed out therein that relying on the repeated assurances of [Page 841] the Reich Prize Commissioner that the ships and cargoes would in all probability be released on presentation of evidence of American consumption of the wood pulp cargoes such evidence had been presented on November 13 and apparently found satisfactory by the Commissioner but that the ships had not been released. It was further pointed out that on the basis of the evidence the prompt release of the ships and cargoes covered thereby would appear to be warranted without the awaiting for the formation of a permanent procedure for dealing in the future with wood pulp cargoes. The State Secretary said that he would look into the matter at once and advise me accordingly. The Department will be kept informed.