550.S1/781: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Great Britain (Atherton)

114. Please convey the following communication as soon as possible to the Prime Minister:

“Dear Mr. Prime Minister: I should like to explain to you personally the thought behind the sentence ‘The World Economic Conference [Page 608] will meet soon and must come to its conclusions quickly, in my telegram of this morning23 to His Majesty, the King. I feel strongly that the Conference should come to its conclusions before the summer holidays and that every effort must be made to reach simple definitive agreements before disbandment. I am convinced that if the Conference is allowed to drag on until Christmas, the chance of reaching agreements will be lessened, not increased. I realize the difficulties in reaching agreement in 8 weeks, but I feel that they are not insuperable and I hope that you, in organizing the work of the Conference, will be able to set as the final date of the Conference August 12. Will you please let me know your view of this question as soon as possible.

Every good wish to you personally and a hope for success. Signed Franklin D. Roosevelt.”

Hull
  1. Message on the Disarmament and Economic Conferences to various Chiefs of State, May 16, p. 143.