711.53/40b: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Portugal (Norweb)
1477. The Department has received today from the British Embassy an aide-mémoire86 in answer to the Department’s communications referred to in its 1443, May 21, 3 p.m.87
[Here follows summary of the British aide-mémoire dated May 24, printed supra.]
Please endeavor to ascertain and inform the Department immediately any substantial reasons to which we may attribute this complete volte-face on the part of the British.
For your additional information and guidance, the Department is replying to the British Embassy88 that while it is gratified to learn that the British Government is renewing its demand for a complete embargo, this Government has a direct interest in the wolfram question and considers that the effort to bring about a complete embargo should continue on a joint basis and that you are being instructed accordingly. You will therefore continue to be guided by the instructions now in your possession as to wolfram. As for the matter of the decision of the Combined Chiefs of Staff, the Department is informing the British Embassy that this Government will take no action for the present on the decision, and you will be guided accordingly.