381.1153 Socony Vacuum Co./4
The Secretary of State to the Diplomatic Agent and Consul General at Tangier ( Blake )
16. Your 21, September 11, 3 p.m. If the proposed requisition of American property is intended to facilitate the acquisition of supplies by any belligerent in the war now in progress between certain European countries, it would seem that the approval of the proposal by this Government might be regarded as direct governmental assistance to one belligerent against the interests of the opposing belligerent. Such a result would not be in accord with the neutrality of the United States which has been proclaimed by the President.
However, if you are convinced that the proposed requisition is necessary in the interests of Morocco and that the requisitioned goods would be used exclusively in Morocco and for its benefit, you may inform the Protectorate authorities that the Department, while refraining from giving definite approval to the application to American nationals in French Morocco of a decree providing for such requisition, would not be disposed to object thereto provided that American interests were safeguarded by observance of stipulations substantially similar to those suggested in your telegram.