740.00112 European War 1939/6728
The British Ambassador (Halifax) to the Secretary of State
Memorandum
His Majesty’s Ambassador presents his compliments to the Secretary of State and has the honour to refer to recent verbal communications from the U. S. Department of State to the Embassy on the subject of supplies for French North Africa. Lord Halifax understands that it is the desire of the United States Government to intimate to the French Government:—
- (a)
- That the United States Government is prepared to approve the despatch of a full tanker load of kerosene to French North Africa.
- (b)
- That the United States Government is prepared to give renewed consideration to a restricted programme of oil supplies to French North Africa.
- (c)
- That the United States Government is prepared to send as soon as possible to French North Africa shipments of foodstuffs and medical supplies.
- (d)
- That the United States Government will not require the French North African authorities to return to this country certain textiles of a military type which were recently shipped from the United States to French North Africa against an undertaking by the French Government that they would be returned on the next available ship.
As regards (b), Lord Halifax understands that the intention of the United States Government is in practice to exclude from consideration lubricants and aviation gasoline and that the programme contemplated would consist largely of automotive gasoline (and possibly small quantities of gasoil) for medical and other essential public services.
Lord Halifax is instructed to state that His Majesty’s Government is in full agreement as regards (a), (c) and (d) of the above proposals. As regards (b), His Majesty’s Government would also be prepared to agree provided that the United States Government would consult with His Majesty’s Government before any agreement is reached as to quantities and dates of arrival.
Lord Halifax would be grateful if the Secretary of State would confirm that this memorandum in Mr. Hull’s view accurately sets out the position of the United States Government in this matter.