File No. 652.119/541b
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Spain ( Willard)
862. Referring further to Embassy’s 1028, January 29, 5 p.m. We strongly feel that in view of our adherence to the policy of including in all our negotiations for rationing of the northern neutral countries their chartering to the United States a part of their total shipping tonnage, that it would be an error of judgment to go forward with the Spanish negotiations without including tonnage negotiations of a similar character in these provisional arrangements. The total tonnage of Spain is 750,000 gross or about 1,000,000 tons deadweight.
We propose, after deducting tonnage required for Spain’s own national existence estimated to be 300,000 tons, that the balance of her shipping [shall] be chartered to the United States; one-third of this tonnage under charter to run to Europe and the Atlantic islands, one-third to be used for Swiss Government needs under safe conduct, and one-third to be used outside of Europe and the Atlantic islands, the charter rates to be the same as those expressed in the Danish-American proposals which are 35 shillings for trades outside Europe and the Atlantic islands and for vessels running to Europe, the rates to be as follows:
- Up to 500 tons deadweight, 58 shillings;
- Up to 1000 tons deadweight, 54 shillings;
- Up to 2300 tons deadweight, 49 shillings;
- Up to 4000 tons deadweight, 46 shillings 6 pence;
- Up to 6000 tons deadweight, 43 shillings 6 pence;
- Over 6000 tons deadweight, 41 shillings 6 pence.
We are strong in the belief that a definite requirement of these negotiations should be the chartering of the tonnage above mentioned to the two Allied nations, and unless this is possible prefer to see the basis of the permanent agreement postponed somewhat until Spain feels more definitely the need of coming into an agreement with us. Cable your views.