740.00112 European War 1939/45
The British Ambassador (Lothian) to the Secretary of State
Sir: I have the honour to inform you, under instructions from His Majesty’s Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, that in the war which is being forced upon them, His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom intend to use their best endeavours to facilitate innocent neutral trade so far as is consonant with their determination to prevent contraband goods reaching the enemy. They will be compelled [Page 726] to use their belligerent rights to the full, but they will at all times be ready to consider sympathetically any suggestions put forward by neutral governments designed to facilitate their bona fide trade.
In order to secure their objects, His Majesty’s Government have established contraband control bases at Weymouth, Ramsgate, Kirkwall, Gibraltar and Haifa. Vessels bound for enemy territory or neutral ports affording convenient means of access thereto are urgently advised to call voluntarily at the appropriate base, in order that their papers may be examined, and that, when it has been established that they are not carrying contraband of war, they may be given a pass to facilitate the remainder of their voyage. Any vessel which does not call voluntarily will be liable to be diverted to a Contraband Control base if an adequate search by His Majesty’s ships at sea is not practicable.
Every effort will be made to expedite the examination of vessels, particularly those which call voluntarily for the purpose. Vessels can greatly contribute to this end by having their papers in good order and free from ambiguity, and by ensuring that manifests, etc., are drawn up in the English language. A stowage plan of the cargo would also be helpful.
As regards vessels calling at British ports, other than contraband bases, in the ordinary course of trade, I am instructed to inform you that, before clearance can be given, Customs will require full particulars, not only of goods to be landed, including transit and trans-shipment goods, but also of goods remaining on board. Delay will be avoided if such vessels are ready to furnish the Customs with full and true particulars in writing of all such goods. The particulars should include the nature and quantity of each item of cargo, the names of the consignor, consignee and shipper, the country of origin and the countries of immediate and ultimate destination.
I have [etc.]