Office of the Historian

893.24/960a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Charge in France (Matthews), at Vichy

Washington, November 9, 1940—9 p.m.

705. The American Consul at Hanoi reports that the French colonial authorities in French Indochina have prohibited reexportation from that colony of merchandise of American origin financed by credits provided by the Export-Import Bank.

Please make representations to the French Foreign Office, in such manner as you may deem appropriate, requesting the prompt release of the above-mentioned merchandise, stating that because of its American origin and the American credits involved, the Government of the [Page 204] United States has an interest in its unimpeded delivery to such destination as may be desired by its lawful owners.43

Hull
  1. In telegram No. 60, December 3, 10 a.m., the Consul at Hanoi reported that the Government General of French Indochina was still refusing reexportation permits for American goods; the Consul gave Japanese pressure as the reason (893.24/981).↩