550.S1/704
Memorandum by the Secretary of State
The British Ambassador came in and hsanded to me the text of a telegram from the British Government in further comment and reply to the reply of our Government39 to the original British memorandum40 on the debt and economic problems. I hurriedly read the telegram, but stated to the Ambassador that I, of course, would not discuss any phase of the situation until I had first conferred with my associates. I then requested either a copy or, if this was not consistent, a synopsis of the telegram of his Government so prepared as to bring out clearly each point contained in the telegram. The Ambassador promised to send me a paraphrase of the telegram tomorrow,41 and added that he did not desire our Government to get the impression that his Government was prepared or expected to be prepared or disposed to pay the June installment of the British debt due our Government.42