740.00112 European War 1939/1634: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Kennedy) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 31—8:55 a.m.]
2487. Minister Economic Warfare52 announced in Commons yesterday Tuesday extension contraband and enemy export control. All [Page 54] shipping crossing Atlantic as well as that approaching or leaving Mediterranean and North Sea to be subject to control. To avoid imposing unnecessary inconvenience to shippers and shipowners by diverting vessels to contraband control bases the navicert system is extended to all seaborne goods consigned to any European port as well as to certain Atlantic islands and to certain neutral ports in North Africa and in addition a ship navicert must be obtained at last port of loading. Any consignment or ship not navicerted will be liable to seizure by British patrols. The same procedure will apply to outgoing trade. All ships sailing from any European port or from the specified Atlantic islands or specified neutral ports in North Africa will be liable to seizure together with uncertificated items of cargo unless all goods carried are covered by certificates of non-enemy origin. Minister also announced that for purposes of contraband and enemy export control all metropolitan France and Algeria, Tunisia and French Morocco will be treated as enemy controlled territory. Goods destined for these areas are therefore liable to be seized as contraband and goods originating in, or owned by persons in these territories are liable to be placed in prize. In application of above measures Minister explained that where supplies can reach neutrals without risk of falling into enemy hands navicerts will be granted to allow imports adequate for domestic consumption but not for re-export to other countries and it would be policy of British Government not merely to allow such adequate supplies to pass through the controls but to assist neutral countries to obtain them. Order in Council giving effect to above measures will be issued shortly possibly later today. Any additional details will be telegraphed as soon as available. At same time Minister Shipping announced that effective immediately a scheme for issuing passes or ships warrants which will assure vessels not under British and Allied control continued access to available commercial shipping facilities under British control such as provision of bunkers, dry docking and repairing, insurance, stores and miscellaneous services has been instituted. Possession of a ships navicert for every voyage to which the navicert system applies will be essential to granting of such ships warrant and in addition ship owners will be required to give satisfactory undertakings to the British Government with regard to the character of the trade on which the ships are engaged. Ships not in possession of ships warrant will be subject to separate inquiries on each occasion on which they desire facilities under British control and these inquiries will mean at least delay and inconvenience. Minister explained that these measures have been taken to ensure so far as possible shipping not controlled by the Allies will not find employment in trades which would in any way benefit the enemy.
- R. H. Cross.↩