His Majesty’s Legation present their compliments to the Federal Political Department and have the honour, under instructions from His Majesty’s Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, to make the following communication:
1. The economic position of Switzerland has been radically altered by the rapid changes during recent weeks in the military situation whereby the Allied Forces have reached the border of Switzerland and Germany’s blockade of Switzerland has been raised. Note has been taken by His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom and by the Government of the United States of the decision of the Swiss Federal Council to invoke the Escape Clause in the latest Swiss-German agreement, but the two Governments, in the light of the new circumstances, feel justified in requesting the Government of Switzerland to prohibit immediately all economic assistance of immediate benefit to the war effort of the enemies of the United nations, as well as all transit traffic through Switzerland between territories in the hands of the enemies of the United Nations. His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom and the Government of the United States, in the light of the letter addressed to Professor Keller on the 14th August ', do not think that this request will come as a surprise to the Government of Switzerland.
2. It is realised by his Majesty’s Government and by the Government of the United States that the immediate cessation of such trade with the enemy countries will cause certain difficulties to Swiss international economy, and, having regard also to the traditional friendly relations which they have always enjoyed with Switzerland and to their warm appreciation of the humanitarian and other valuable services which the Government and people of Switzerland have rendered during the course of the present war, they are anxious to assist in mitigating those difficulties. The two Governments, with this object in view, will be prepared to maintain Swiss food and fodder imports as fixed in the Agreement of December 1943 up to the end of the year 1944 and to discuss with the Government of Switzerland the requirements of Switzerland for additional supplies following compliance by the Swiss with the requests outlined in paragraph 1 above.
3. Finally, if the Government of Switzerland so desires, His Majesty’s Government and the Government of the United States will be prepared to enter into discussions at an appropriate moment with the object of the productive capacity of Switzerland being employed in connection with the supply and rehabilitation of Europe.
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