740.00112A European War, 1939/16880: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 5—10:50 p.m.]
4991. Reference final sentence Madrid’s despatch 149, July 15 and second paragraph page 7 Bern’s despatch 2857, July 17.21 British considering advisability retention of war trade lists for some time after end of the war. Purpose would be now to secure greater fear of listing on the part of neutral firms who, largely invulnerable to United Nations’ sanctions at present, are not hesitant about indulging in lucrative trade with the enemy as they feel that war trade lists will be abolished at the end of the war and they will be able to résumé trade with United Nations on the same basis as firms which have scrupulously foregone enemy business. Proponents of retention recognize that in the American Republics it might be less desirable than elsewhere, but think that an announcement that the lists “will not be abolished” (not necessarily that “the lists will be continued”) upon the termination of the war, would be most desirable as an extremely effective way of removing the contempt in which the lists are now held by many business men in neutral countries, especially on the continent.
The British assure us that they will not act on this matter nor give any. publicity to its consideration without fully consulting the [Page 295] Department. The matter is now at the interdepartmental stage, with Ministry of Economic Warfare expecting to induce the Foreign Office to concur in the proposal.
- Neither printed.↩