File No. 763.72112A/341
The Ambassador in Great Britain ( Page) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8 p.m.]
8362. War Trade Board [from Frothingham]:
No. 59. For Fuller. Foreign Trade Department suggests joint conference American, British, and French Ministers, Minister of Persia, to agree upon list of Persian enemy traders, American representative to be guided by your instructions in accepting or declining names. They feel that intimate knowledge local conditions essential and such local recommendations more effective than consideration of evidence at long range. They further feel that moral effect of publication such a Persian list by American Government is particularly desirable in supporting previous efforts British and French authorities in Persia regardless of negligible amount actual trade involved. If you approve proposal they will instruct their Minister in Teheran accordingly. Aside from case of Persia, Foreign Trade Department feels that this procedure might be desirable in Morocco, Liberia, and certain other African territories, also for moral effect. Await your views.