File No. 763.72112/10047
The Minister in Switzerland ( Stovall) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 9, 12.36 p.m.]
4624. For War Trade Board [from Dresel]:
No. 149. Department’s 2659, September 6 [4], your No. 96, Legation’s 4490, August 29, 10 a.m., my No. 136.1 Formal reply of Federal Government on subject black list dated August 31, text of which has been forwarded to Department, makes various objections establishment of black list as follows:
- (1)
- Conflict will exist with article 3 of S[ociété] S[uisse de] S[urveillance Economique] regulations;
- (2)
- Independence and neutrality of Switzerland jeopardized by interference of Associated Governments;
- (3)
- Control and system of penalties established by S.S.S. already sufficient without further measures.
Note states further that, nevertheless, Government is inclined to give S.S.S. additional powers in order to exclude, directly or indirectly from its benefits, houses hereafter guilty of violations of S.S.S. regulations. Finally, further discussions of a diplomatic nature are suggested.
I consider above answer altogether too vague and, if taken literally, inacceptable. Also additional powers to S.S.S. are unnecessary, only rigorous enforcement of those already conferred being required. In informal conversations I have urged the necessity of an immediate decision accepting definitely principle of a published joint blacklist to include past as well as future delinquents. In the meantime I am confidentially assured by president of S.S.S. that Federal Government will not press protest contained in the note and will take action in the sense indicated by Entente.
Formal answer is now being considered by representatives of Associated Governments, insisting on essential principles, and will be delivered shortly. Dresel.
- The latter not printed.↩