711.53/41f
The Department of State to the British Embassy
Aide-Mémoire
The Department has received the aide-mémoire of the British Embassy dated May 24, 1944, in answer to the Department’s aide-mémoire of May 20, 1944, and has given careful consideration to its contents.
The Department accepts the view of the British Government that no action should be taken at this time on the decision of the Combined Chiefs of Staff, and has instructed Ambassador Norweb accordingly.89
With particular reference to paragraph three of the Embassy’s aide-mémoire the Department notes with satisfaction that the British Government now believes that a complete wolfram embargo can be promptly obtained and that it has instructed its Ambassador in Lisbon to renew at once our demand for a complete embargo in the most pressing terms.
[Page 118]While the Department is gratified in learning that the two Governments are again in agreement on the wolfram question, the Embassy is reminded that the two Governments have pursued a common objective throughout the whole history of the wolfram discussions and that this Government has a direct interest in the solution of this problem. This Government therefore considers that for it to withdraw from the discussions at this stage would constitute a tactical error and could weaken the joint negotiating position in Lisbon. Accordingly the Department has instructed Ambassador Norweb to continue, under instructions furnished him heretofore, to press for a complete wolfram embargo.
The Department would be grateful to the Embassy for an early clarification of the views of the British Government expressed in paragraphs two and three of the Embassy’s aide-mémoire.
The Department has asked the Office of War Information to refrain for the present from making use of public statements or wireless propaganda to Portugal which might be interpreted as undue pressure.
- See telegram 1477, May 25, 10 a.m., supra.↩