763.72112/10613: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Great Britain ( Laughlin )
2813. For Sheldon [from War Trade Board]: No. 1626. In reply to Embassy’s 3276 Nov. 1, 11 a.m. from Owen.2 Please repeat [Page 732] substance of following to Christiania, Copenhagen and Stockholm:
In view of the changed situation, we would like to have opinion of the A. B. C.3 as to changes which will simplify procedure in regard to Northern Neutrals. We consider that it will now be unnecessary to limit the imports of the Northern Neutrals for many articles. A desirable manner of handling the problem from now on would be to establish an agreed list, applications for which list should be referred to London for statistical reasons, this list to be made up of articles in which there may be a world shortage or which it would be undesirable to make available, except in accordance with the ration, pending the actual signing of peace. This list could be changed from time to time, but should in our opinion in the first instance include food stuffs and fodders, raw materials generally, including mineral oils. There would be thus left to go freely manufactured articles, iron and steel and products. If desirable for statistical purposes, applications granted outside of the list could be advised to London.