811.20 (D) Regulations/383
Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs (Hamilton)95
In connection with the provision in one of the emergency defense bills now before the Congress authorizing the President to curtail or prohibit, in the interest of national defense, certain commodities, I do not know whether the appropriate authorities of the Government are considering restricting or prohibiting the export of gasoline and petroleum products. If the restriction or prohibition of the exportation of petroleum products is being considered, it is strongly recommended that due account be taken of the effect which any such restriction or prohibition would be likely to have on Japan’s course of action vis-à-vis the Dutch East Indies.96 I believe that such restriction or prohibition would tend to impel Japan toward moving into the Dutch East Indies and I therefore recommend that, if at all practicable, no restrictions be placed at this time on exportation of petroleum products.