740.00112 European War 1939/2376: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 20—9:59 a.m.]
1087. Our 998, March 14, 8 p.m. Department’s 477, February 13, 11 p.m., and 501, February 15, 6 p.m.41 Letter dated March 19 from Ministry Economic Warfare, after apology for delay in reply to Embassy’s representations regarding trade with Syria, reads as follows:
“After a consideration of all the factors involved, including the arguments put forward by the United States Government, it has been decided to relax the restrictions on Syrian trade. Accordingly, His Majesty’s Consul General in Beirut is being authorized to issue certificates of origin for Syrian tobacco, casings, olive oil, hides and skins, to be exchanged against harmless imports from the United States of [Page 682] America in addition to silk and wool, the export of which has already been authorized.
We have already agreed in principle to the despatch of foodstuffs and newsprint to Syria in barter for wool and silk. We are now prepared to grant navicerts for a wider variety of harmless United States goods destined for Syria in exchange for Syrian exports. Provided there are no suspicious circumstances regarding the particular transactions concerned, we shall authorize His Majesty’s Ambassador in the United States of America to issue navicerts for the United States goods involved in any barter deals arranged on these lines.”