File No. 600.119/1550
The Chargé in Great Britain ( Laughlin) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10.45 p.m.]
3096. Your 1674, September 28, 3 p.m. The British Government reply as follows, but this answer should be read in conjunction with my 3031, October 23, 6 p.m.3
In reply, I have the honor to inform you that, as regards Switzerland, His Majesty’s Government welcome any proposal which [Page 1007] would tend to increase effective cooperation between the Associated Governments in blockade matters. In particular they consider that the forthcoming negotiations for the renewal of the rationing agreement between the United States War Trade Board and Switzerland, of December 5 last1 will afford an excellent opportunity of making that cooperation closer. It appears to His Majesty’s Government advisable to make these negotiations the occasion of obtaining from Switzerland by concerted action such blockade and other economical concessions as the Associated Governments may require, and I understand that the French Government think it desirable that the negotiations should take place at Paris. His Majesty’s Government share this view unless, indeed, the French Government should think Berne preferable as the scene of the negotiations, and His Majesty’s Government will therefore be prepared, provided that the concurrence of the United States authorities can be obtained as regards the place where the negotiations should be held, to send a trustworthy representative to Paris to represent them in the discussions to be held there. Should this proposal mature, His Majesty’s Government are inclined to think that by sending a trustworthy representative to Paris they will in effect be meeting the desire of the United States Government as expressed in your note under reply. Owing to the variety of the details involved, it will be necessary that practically all questions affecting the Swiss part of the blockade should come under the joint review of the Associated Governments in the course of the negotiations. In the opinion of His Majesty’s Government, it should be a question reserved for future consideration whether the body of inter-Allied negotiators thus constituted at Paris should continue there in permanent session after the conclusion of the negotiations. A decision on that point must, His Majesty’s Government think, depend partly on the way in which the situation develops and partly on the question whether or not the permanent International Rationing Commission at Paris can be considered as providing a framework for adequate machinery for reaching inter-Allied decisions on Swiss blockade matters. It is by no means clear to His Majesty’s Government that the aim (which?) the United States Government has in view can not be (best) met by strengthening the personnel of that commission rather than by creating an entirely new body whose functions would to some extent inevitably overlap with those of the rationing commission. Before, however, expressing a definite opinion on that head, His Majesty’s Government would prefer to await the reports of the special representative whom they will send to Paris if it should be decided to hold the negotiations there.
As regards Spain, I have the honor to inform you that the question whether His Majesty’s Government should cooperate in setting up an inter-Allied bureau at Paris which would superintend the working of the inter-Allied purchasing body which already exists at Madrid, has been carefully examined on more than one occasion by the competent departments of His Majesty’s Government. In this connection I have the honor to refer you to a letter written from this department to Mr. Sheldon on July 17 last and numbered [Page 1008] 117257, and to inform you that after further examination of the question His Majesty’s Government regret that they do not see their way to depart from the position outlined in that letter. They will, however, always be most willing to consider any special points on which the United States authorities may wish to obtain their cooperation in Spain.
For the guidance of the Department, I add that a copy of Foreign Office letter of July 17 was transmitted by Mr. Sheldon to War Trade Board on July 18, despatch No. 5135.1