Shipping: fuel%for belligerent warships 1039/5/39 BRITISH EMBASSY, WASHINGTON D. C. June 20th, 1939 No. 689 My Lord, With reference to your despatch No. 430 (A 25X6/6/51) of May 9th regarding the quantity of fuel to bo supplied to belligerent warships from neutral sources In tine of war I have the honour to Inform Your Lordship that I had on informal enquiry made at too State Department based upon the statement of His Majesty's Minister at Panama by the Governor of the Panama Canal Zone to the effedt that in the event of war the canal regulations required that only sufficient fuel be supplied from ports under bis control to a belli* gerent warship to enable It to reach the next port open to It for re-fuelling. The State Department were asked whether it was the intention of the United States authorities that the same rule should be applied generally throughout the United States of America and their territories in tins of war; also, for the purpose of applying this rule, what vessels and in what circumstances would be regarded by the United States authorities as assimilated to warships• The/ The Right Honourable The viscount Halifax, K. o VAL?4:CL etc etc etc. The onoloaed reply was banded yesterday to a Mnbev of my staff with the explanation that it should be considered an oval reply to the questions raised* I have the honour to be. With the highest respect, My Lord, Tear Lordship's most obedient, humble servant, (800) R. C. UlfHSAY