580.7A3/409: Telegram
The Chargé in Great Britain ( Atherton ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:08 p.m.]
84. With reference to Department’s telegram No. 32, February 19, 6 p.m.9 Chairman White orally requests me to telegraph the following:
In the draft rules of procedure which the British Government submitted yesterday there is a clause which reads: “Each country shall be entitled to one vote.” It may come up morning of April 16 in first meeting of Conference. This rule will give British Empire six votes. It should be kept in mind, however, that on any question it is not certain that the votes of the British Empire would be cast as a unit. There are three possible solutions:
- 1.
- To agree to the clause.
- 2.
- To propose one vote for each sovereign state represented.
- 3.
- To throw the question into the Conference at the opening meeting and state that the American delegation cannot accept this clause without specific authorization from Washington.
Please instruct before morning of April 16.
- Not printed.↩