File No. 763.72112/1191
The Counselor of the British Embassy (Barclay) to the Counselor for the Department of State
[Received May 26.]
Dear Mr. Lansing : I beg to thank you for your personal letter of the 22d returning my personal note of the 19th and enclosing copy of a report prepared by Mr. Rose.
With regard to your suggestion that the recent announcement of the British Foreign Office implied that the conversations between Mr. Rose and members of the British Embassy here were of an official character I can only say that as far as I know there has never been any doubt about the matter and that if there had been any doubt it would have been dispelled by the exchange of notes between Mr. Rose and Sir Richard Crawford.
The British Government has however been informed that such doubts have arisen and to set them finally at rest has published a statement enclosed herewith which was communicated to you yesterday unofficially by the Ambassador.
Here I think the matter might be allowed to rest as it does not seem desirable to enter into any discussion of questions already settled.
You will doubtless have observed that the British note of March 15, paragraph 3,1 and the American reply of March 30,2 penultimate [Page 223] paragraph, have clearly laid down the points of view of the respective governments.
I am [etc.]