Office of the Historian

501.45A2/437

Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs (Hornbeck)

[Washington,] June 7, 1930.

In regard to this matter of a proposed agreement on the subject of oil pollution in navigable waters,—

The outstanding question is whether or not to go forward with the effort to conclude an international agreement based on the Draft of a Convention drawn up under the terms of the Final Act signed in Washington June 16, 1926. The British and the Danish Governments have been prodding us about it.83 Mr. Culbertson and I have explored the subject and we are of the opinion that it would be best for the present to let the matter continue to lie on the table.

I should like to call in an officer from the British Embassy and one from the Danish Legation and explain orally to each of them that the American Government is not disposed at present to make any move in regard to the matter.

May I request authorization or disapproval?84

S. K. H[ornbeck]
  1. Communications from the Danish Government not printed.↩
  2. At this point the memorandum is noted by the Under Secretary of State: “O. K. J. P. C[OTTON].”↩