File No. 763.72112/3057a
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Page)
3908. Personal for the Ambassador. Press on Saturday morning widely featured interview given Friday, October 6, to Associated Press by Lord Robert Cecil. It related to black list and made unfavorable impression here. Ambassador was sent for and Polk expressed amazement that a responsible minister should issue such a statement when blacklisting negotiations were under discussion, particularly as British Government had failed to reply to note on protest. He also expressed a fear that Great Britain did not fully appreciate the seriousness of the situation and the real irritation that existed in this country. Ambassador after examining interview stated he was convinced that interview refers only to Swedish dispute on black list and that although Cecil referred to all neutrals, he did not have the dispute of this country in mind. Ambassador seemed disturbed and said he fully realized seriousness of situation and he felt that something would be done to relieve situation.