441.11 W 892/61
The Secretary of State to the British Ambassador (Howard)
My Dear Mr. Ambassador: You will recall that in my letter of June 19, 1926, regarding the claims question I told you I would approach Secretary Wilbur again on the subject of the proposal that a mission be sent to London to discuss the claims between the Navy Department and British Government Departments in the hope that he might find it possible to arrange for the despatch of such a mission not later than September 1.
Pursuant to that undertaking I spoke with Secretary Wilbur and received his oral assurance that arrangements would be made by the Navy Department to send a mission to London this fall so that its work might be carried on simultaneously with the work which Mr. Phenix is to undertake with Mr. Broderick. I have just received a letter from the Acting Secretary of the Navy giving further particulars as to the Naval mission. This letter states that the Navy Department will submit to the British authorities in London through the United States Naval Attaché the plan originally proposed and agreed upon to the effect that a conference be held in London between representatives of the Navy Department and representatives of the British Government Departments concerned for the consideration of the existing claims between the two Governments and that in the event the British authorities agree to accept the joint conference method of adjustment as proposed, the Navy Department will direct the following persons to proceed to London and begin preliminary conversations about the first week of September, 1926:
Captain F. K. Hill, United States Navy, Retired, Commander Harry E. Collins, Supply Corps, United States Navy, Dr. R. D. Vining, Miss Jean Stevenson.
It appears from the foregoing that definite arrangements for this conference will be made through the United States Naval Attaché [Page 244] in London and that further action by this Department is not necessary.
I have not yet received definite advice from you as to whether Mr. Broderick would be able to meet Mr. Phenix in London on September 1, but when he was recently in Washington he informed Mr. Olds that there was no question that the necessary authorization would be forthcoming from his Government. While I assume, therefore, that no difficulty may be expected in this connection, I should be glad to receive your confirmation of the fact as soon as you are in a position to send it.
I am [etc.]