811.2395/8–2150: Circular telegram
The Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic and Consular Offices 1
confidential
Washington, August 21,
1950—1 a. m.
Missions addressed shld informally communicate fol to govts to which accredited:
- 1.
- US Govt recently reviewed carefully position of natural rubber and concluded consumption shld be markedly reduced to permit faster stockpile accumulation.
- 2.
- In near future Commerce will announce amendment Rubber [Page 134] Order R–1 effective Sep 1 limiting total new rubber consumption and natural rubber consumption balance 1950.
- 3.
- As soon as practicable thereafter Commerce will issue detailed regs which as necessary may limit natural rubber content rubber products, prohibit non-essential uses of rubber, control inventories, and establish quotas of natural rubber for each manufacturer. Detailed info re new regs will be made available as promptly as possible.
- 4.
- As previously announced US will reactivate govt petroleum base synthetic rubber plants to maximum capacity. Govt also taking steps permit prompt reactivation alcohol base plants in event emergency.
- 5.
- These measures will result in reduction natural rubber consumption, increased synthetic rubber consumption, and net reduction total consumption new rubber. They shld not diminish total sales natural rubber to US since purpose limiting industry buying for consumption is to make rubber available for accelerated stockpile buying.
- At their discretion and contrary previous instructions missions may mention this probability to govt officials but shld not make any commitment re tonnages or prices.
- 6.
- Measures described parallel emergency measures which it is contemplated will be taken if necessary to conserve supplies other critical materials while simultaneously assuring highest practicable level of consumption.
- 7.
- Dept giving similar info to Wash missions countries to which addressees this tel accredited.
Acheson
- Sent to London Paris, Djakarta, Bangkok, Colombo, Singapore, and Saigon.↩