767.68119/561: Telegram
The Special Mission at Lausanne to the Secretary of State
[Received April 28—3:02 a.m.]
267. In obedience to the wishes of the British Foreign Office, Rumbold read to me tonight a portion of his instructions to the effect that the British Government, desiring a cordial association between the British and American delegations at Lausanne, would be pleased to have them exchange views during the negotiations.
[Page 993]These advances seem to be the fortunate consequence of my earlier interview with the British delegate on April 23. On that occasion I made some allusion to the possibility that we could associate ourselves with the Allies in negotiating the two conventions and the Turkish declarations concerning the administration of justice in Turkey. Tonight Sir Horace asked whether it was our purpose really to unite with the European powers in treating with Turkey. I told him that perhaps it would be more exact to say that we would cooperate with them. The same has been said informally to the French and Italian chief delegates.
Until we see better the trend of affairs it seems prudent not to pledge ourselves to an actual participation in negotiations, and indeed this may be our best and final policy. In our formal statement6 before the conference and in private interviews with the Allied delegates we have shown a willingness to assist at the negotiations. This course seems to have induced already in the British Government a friendly attitude. Meanwhile it may be useful to maintain an attitude of reserve.