740.00112 Navicert/91
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Assistant Secretary of State (Berle)
Mr. Butler and Mr. Helm came in to see me, at their request.
They left with me the attached memorandum51 relating to shipments of goods from the United States to Balkan countries. Their blunt desire was to have the United States put in a restriction by which no such boat is allowed to sail, unless a British inspector inspects the cargo and agrees to clear the vessel. It was decorated somewhat, but this is what it comes to.
I said I would study the matter, but frankly I thought this was going too far. Their memorandum points out that they wish us to do this in order that they may make similar agreements with all the South American countries. (I believe this would be fatal. Further, I doubt if there is any sense in trying it. The Italians will take the bulk of the goods, because they will need them more than the Balkans will. The real thrust of this, of course, is that the British are no longer in a position to blockade, except at Gibraltar.)
- Supra. ↩