File No. 600.119/415a

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Spain ( Willard)1

[Circular telegram]

The attention of the Department has been called to a statement appearing in the press in regard to the intentions of this Government in connection with the so-called world-wide embargo against neutrals. There is no basis whatever for any statement which implies that any final decision has been reached by the Exports Administrative Board. The matter is still under discussion with the neutrals and with the foreign governments associated with us in the war.

Press despatches further state that it is understood that the United States has urged upon Great Britain, for some time, the necessity for taking stringent measures controlling exports similar to those adopted by this Government and that Great Britain has consented to abrogate all of its trade agreements with the northern neutrals in line with suggestions of this Government.

It must be understood that though the embargo question is being considered jointly, any action taken by Great Britain or France will be based entirely on their own judgment after consultation and not at the dictation of this Government. Department does not wish the peoples and the governments of neutral countries to gain the impression that this Government is dictating to England and France an embargo policy hostile to neutral countries. As a matter of fact, England has been urging us to adopt even a stricter control than we have been willing to sanction. This Government is quite prepared to assume full responsibility for such restrictive measures as it may be called upon to enforce. These will in every case be dictated by necessity with all possible regard for justice and for the feelings of neutrals.

The Department is informed that Great Britain has terminated certain agreements with neutral countries covering exports from Great Britain to those countries. It is stated that this action was taken for the purpose of clearing the way for new arrangements made necessary by changed conditions since the entry of the United States into the war.

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The Exports Board states that one reason why a final policy has not as yet been decided upon by this Government is the failure of the board to obtain information from the Governments of certain northern neutrals repeatedly requested as to the resources and requirements of the northern neutrals and other information necessary for intelligent action.

The efforts of this Government are aimed (1) at preventing aid going to the enemy as a result of the release of shipments by this Government to neutrals, and (2) at securing the cooperation of such neutrals in the furnishing of their products needed by this country or those associated with us in the war. There is absolutely no ground for conjecture to the effect that this Government is influenced by a desire to hamper neutrals in their normal life or inflict upon them any hardships not necessarily resulting from the execution of the aims outlined above. On the contrary our ancient bonds of friendship, our selfish interest and our inclinations prompt us to render them as much aid as possible in the present difficult conditions.

It should be borne in mind that an essential factor in determining this country’s policy towards European neutrals is the satisfactory settlement and utilization of neutral tonnage now situated in our ports. The withdrawal from active service of these ships complicates the entire question and imposes upon this Government the need of stricter measures to meet the situation.

Your reports relating to the questions of embargo are very helpful and should be continued and made as complete as possible.

The Department will keep you informed on questions connected with the embargo policy. Negotiations are continuing daily and most of these are oral and tentative and you will not be advised of them unless the Department considers them definite enough to be of assistance to you.

Lansing
  1. The same, on the same date, to the Ministers in Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland, and the Ambassador in Great Britain.