File No. 659.119/112a
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain ( Page)
5754. For McCormick from War Trade Board:
Danish negotiations: British have given their consent conditioned on limit of exports to Central powers being 5,000 head of cattle per [Page 1058] week, no horses, no pork, dairy products or eggs, 2,100 tons fish per month and $2,000 manufactured products per month. Danes state these conditions impossible and if insisted upon negotiations will have to be abandoned. State Department believe they can induce British to withdraw these conditions and consent to following arrangement, viz., one-half of all pork, dairy products and eggs and 2,000 horses per month to Central powers. Danes complain of delays and profess readiness to return home. State Department urges prompt conclusion to prevent further irritation in which we concur. Majority board here ready to close on above basis especially in view urgent necessity for tonnage which is increasingly evident since your departure, but before closing would like your and Taylor’s views. White thinks we should stand out for only one-quarter of fats to Central powers in view of situation respecting hog slaughtering, or guaranteed minimum of 30,000 tons per annum to British. Prompt reply important.