The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Page)
4330. Department’s instruction 4512,1 November 25. See Consul London’s 3339, December 20, showing that English houses have been receiving German needles under licenses issued as late as August 24 and that applications for further licenses are pending before Board of Trade. Inform Foreign Office that, unless prompt favorable action is taken on Keegan application, Department will find it difficult to avoid the conclusion that this is a discrimination favoring English at the expense of American commerce under the guise of a war measure. Suggestion of Foreign Office in its note of September 42 that supplies of bearded needles could be obtained in Great Britain in sufficient quantities to meet the needs of neutral countries has not been verified since investigation showed no supplies available.