Office of the Historian

811.24 Raw Materials/1710: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)

Washington, October 3, 1941—5 p.m.

4207. Your 4569, September 27, 3 p.m. The following is from the Rubber Reserve Company:

“Appreciate advices joint consideration Rubber Reserve requirements by Colonial Offices and Ministry of Supply. Rubber Reserve Company refers to establishment single buying agency for United [Page 507] States, including Government stock pile and manufacturing industry requirements, which operation was accepted by governments involved, including price and export licensing control. Also to cable advices to Mr. Jesse Jones by Mr. Harold MacMillan for Ministry of Supply, guaranteeing monthly average 100,000 tons until end this year and promise of same monthly amounts 1942. As single buying operation without definite time limitation, except for notice period in event termination, it is Rubber Reserve Company’s view that unless unforeseen circumstances prevent, the present plan will continue at present price and in quantity per month set forth Mr. MacMillan’s cable.

A visit from Sir John Hay, as suggested, to discuss problems in connection with program would be welcomed by Mr. Jesse Jones and Rubber Reserve Company.65 Will appreciate early advices his arrival.”

The Department would also welcome the visit from Sir John Hay, and requests that you so advise the Colonial Secretary.

Hull

[On April 7, 1942, the Secretary of Commerce, Mr. Jesse Jones, appeared before a congressional committee and in the course of his evidence had occasion to refer to certain actions of the International Rubber Regulation Committee; see Investigation of the National Defense Program: Hearings before a special committee investigating the national defense program, 77th Cong., 1st sess., pt. 11 (Washington, Government Printing Office, 1940), pages 4521–4553. A British memorandum dated May 18, 1942, in reply was presented to the Secretary of State by the British Ambassador on May 23, 1942; not printed (800.6176/226).]

  1. A contract was negotiated and signed December 13, 1941, but was rendered inoperative by the invasion of Malaya and the Netherlands East Indies.↩