550.S1/756: Telegram
The Chargé in Great Britain (Atherton) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 10—3:20 p.m.]
116. From Norman Davis. The draft resolution on the tariff truce in the form approved in your 101, May 9, 7 p.m., was circulated today by Simon to the representatives here of the six other countries represented on the Organizing Committee which is called to meet tomorrow afternoon if those governments are then ready to join the British and ourselves in accepting the draft. The British reservation through reference to experts report is causing some difficulty because full purport is not understood and hence the various Embassies concerned are referring home for instructions. Possibly you could help get prompt favorable replies through advising Washington representatives of these governments of importance you place on prompt acceptance of the resolution in view of practical and psychological effect it will have in preparing the ground for the Economic Conference.
This is particularly important in the case of the French Government as their Ambassador has just left here and the Chargé d’Affaires11 will probably be reluctant to assume any responsibility. Further it will be helpful if we could dissuade the French Government from taking the initiative to put in a reservation covering protection against fluctuating currencies as if this is introduced by the French it will probably be adopted by others and tend [to] weaken the effect of the declaration.
I learn from the German Embassy here that while they agree in principle, the new formula will require specific approval of the Cabinet which meets tomorrow, Thursday, to consider the matter.
We are working here with the representatives of all the governments concerned. [Davis.]
- Roger Oambon.↩