856d.6363/6: Telegram
The Minister in the Netherlands ( Phillips ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:30 p.m.]
157. Department’s mail instruction 1162 and my telegram number 150, July 2nd7 regarding oil situation Netherland Indies. For my [Page 271] own guidance in discussing the matter with the Foreign Office I should be glad to know whether the present policy of the Netherlands of “Government reserve” (which however when applied to exploitation agreements makes no apparent distinction between Dutch citizens and foreigners) is a cause for proper retaliation on our part inasmuch as the laws of the United States do not exclude foreigners from participation in the development of the petroleum resources of the United States. Please cable reply.
- Latter not printed.↩