740.41112A/1–1145: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
London, January 11,
1945—7 p.m.
[Received January 12—7:07 a.m.]
[Received January 12—7:07 a.m.]
379. For WT. ReDeptel 56, January 3:
- 1.
- Following are MEW’s comments seriatim on Department’s suggested
amendments to MEW instructions to British Missions in Eastern
Hemisphere regarding additions to Statutory List.
- (a)
- MEW does not believe Department’s amendment will make any practical difference as Missions are now experienced in this type of work and they would not be expected to guarantee in advance that deterrent effect would necessarily follow in any particular case. Since difference is immaterial Embassy will include Department’s version in instructions to American Missions in LCA.14
- (b)
- MEW would have no objection to insertion of “German-owned” but would object to listing unimportant German-owned and controlled firms at present time. MEW’s position is based on desire to restrict size of lists at present time and the fact that British Missions have already been instructed (see Embassy’s despatch 18138, September 21, 194415) to report names and particulars of all such firms which information is being recorded by British for whatever action may be deemed advisable after Germany’s defeat. It is felt that removal of word “important” would open way to considerable expansion of lists, particularly in field of small enemy holding companies such as those turned down by Committee in SC.14 (reference Embassy’s despatch 19840, December 1415). MEW would probably not object to listing small operating German-owned or controlled firms but it is believed that the majority of German firms have been listed by now.
- (c)
- This section involves activities in (1) enemy assets and (2) loot. As regards (1) the difference between MEW’s and Department’s instructions is that former places emphasis on size of assets and importance of persons owning assets, whereas the Department emphasizes [Page 207] importance of activities regardless of size of assets or importance of their owners. MEW agrees we should not be too strict in limiting additions to Statutory/Proclaimed Lists to persons holding important assets and is willing to inform British Missions that this section in MEW’s instruction should be given very liberal interpretation. MEW agrees that importance of activities should be chief criterion rather than importance of assets. As regards (2) MEW agrees that lists should be used against persons engaging in any activities involving loot, provided they know they are dealing in loot.
- (e)
- Embassy and MEW do not understand reason for mentioning words “engaged in propaganda activity and notorious enemy agents” as these have always been considered eligible for specification under British listing policy memorandum September 25, 1941.16 As regards enemy technicians British have not favored use of lists as recommended in Embassy’s despatch 18248, September 27, 194416 but on basis of recent discussions MEW is again discussing question with Foreign Office with view to taking action along lines suggested in Department’s 9237, November 4. Department will be informed subsequently of results these discussions.
- 2.
- After reviewing Department’s comments in telegram 56, MEW decided to send British instructions as they stand to avoid delay, inasmuch as certain suggestions of Proclaimed List Committee involve a variation in policy and it would be necessary to resubmit these sections to Black List Committee for revision to British draft instructions. If Department’s suggestions are subsequently accepted by Black List Committee supplementary instructions will be sent to British Missions. In these circumstances Embassy is advising American Missions in LCA that listing policy regarding future additions to PL17 is currently under discussion with Department and they will be instructed shortly.
- 3.
- On basis of Department’s 56, Embassy unable to circularize American Missions pending Department’s further instructions on points (b) and (e) in paragraph 1. Points (b), (c) and (e) may require further consideration by Black List Committee. It is suggested that Department authorize Embassy to continue to treat question of technicians as separate issue in order to expedite transmittal of revised PL instructions to American Mission.
Winant