740.00112 European War 1939/203a:
Telegram
The Secretary of State to
the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Kennedy)
Washington, September
29, 1939—8 p.m.
1117. Department’s 1085, September 27, 2 p.m. Yesterday the following
oral statement was made to the Commercial Counselor and
[Page 752]
other representatives of the British
Embassy. The same statement is also being communicated for their
information to representatives of the Belgian Embassy and the Legations
of Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands:
- “1. We have noted the statement in the Embassy’s note of
September 10, that it is the intention of the British
Government ‘to use their best endeavors to facilitate
innocent neutral trade so far as is consonant with their
determination to prevent contraband goods reaching the
enemy.’
- “2. This Government on its part desires that its trade
with neutral countries proceed with the least possible
disturbance due to the existence of a state of war in
Europe. As regards trade of neutral countries (in particular
the so-called northern neutrals) with the United States, it
should be fully understood as has already been publicly
announced, that this Government reserves all rights of the
United States and its nationals under international law and
is not to be understood as endorsing any principle of
interference with trade of genuine neutral character.
- “3. The American Government has in recent years obtained
in several of the countries under reference, by means of
Trade Agreements, tariff concessions and quota benefits for
a large number of commodities of which this country is the
principal supplier. These benefits for American goods were
granted in exchange for compensating concessions in the
American market which continue in force.
- “4. We shall follow with close attention developments in
connection with neutral trade. If specific cases arise in
which we feel that representations should be made to the
British Government, we shall be glad to utilize the informal
contacts which have been here established to discuss such
cases in an effort to reach a satisfactory decision and
thereby avoid the necessity of a formal protest by the
American Government.”
Repeat to Embassy Brussels and Legations Helsinki, Stockholm, Oslo,
Copenhagen and The Hague.
