561.35E1A/1168: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Kennedy) to the Secretary of State
London, November 7,
1939.
[Received November 7—1:11 p.m.]
2297. From the delegates to the International Sugar Council. Following
circular note received from the Chairman:
- “1. As you know, under article 51 (a) of the International Sugar Agreement, any
contracting government becoming involved in hostilities may
apply for suspension of its obligations, and if such
application is denied, may give notice of withdrawal. Under
article 51 (e), if any belligerent
government does give notice of withdrawal, other contracting
governments have the right at any time during the following
3 months also to give notice of withdrawal. Under article 51
(f) withdrawal takes effect 3
months after receipt of notice by the United Kingdom
Government.
- “2. So far no application for suspension of obligations
under article 51 has been received, and the agreement is
therefore in full force. Moreover, if one of the governments
engaged in hostilities should make an application for the
suspension or partial suspension of its obligations, I have
no reason to believe that the Council would not find a way
to meet the needs of the government concerned without
forcing it to withdraw from the agreement.
- “3. In any case, I think that it is very important to make
every effort to keep the agreement alive. Taking a long
view, it is certain that the end of the war will see the
desirability of some regulation scheme if the sugar industry
is not to fall into the chaos that followed the last war. In
fact, I think it is very desirable to endeavor during the
war to avoid the possibility of such a state of chaos
arising.
- “4. I fully realize that it may be difficult to hold
formal meetings of the Council, but I believe that much
useful work might be done by having informal discussions
from time to time among the representatives of the
delegations who are available in London, or who can easily
come here. Further, it seems essential that the statistical
work of the Council should be maintained.
- [Here follow paragraphs 5 to 9 of the circular, containing
recommendations regarding carrying on the work of the office
of the Council upon a reduced budget.]”
The amount proposed for the United States in the revised budget of £3,800
for a full war-year is £734.1.9. It would be helpful if any instructions
the Department may desire to send be received before the meeting which
has been called by the Chairman for 10 a.m., Saturday, November
11th.
