550.S1/1258: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain ( Bingham )
259. Your 270, September 19. Please inform the Prime Minister that I heartily agree with his intention to devote himself, as President of the Economic Conference, to an effort to take positive steps to carry forward the work of the Conference and that he may be assured of my whole-hearted cooperation. I share his belief that present troubled circumstances make more imperative than ever “close accord in leadership among the principal nations”. An ingenuity of mind and opportunity should be exercised to prevent the further spread of semi-hostile economic nationalism.
Tell the Prime Minister that I should be glad to be informed fully of the outcome of his discussions with Salter, Stamp, and Layton, with representatives of the League Secretariat, and with Colijn.
The preparation of a survey to be submitted in December for a meeting of the Bureau is an excellent idea. Benefiting by the greater mutual knowledge of each other’s difficulties that was secured at London, it is my hope that survey may indicate what the greater nations may undertake as a way towards a new beginning of economic cooperation. Please tell the Prime Minister that I shall be glad to try to make helpful suggestions and wish to suggest that full consideration be given to the possibility of putting into generally acceptable form the proposal regarding commercial policy which the American delegation presented shortly before the adjournment of the Conference.
Perhaps the Prime Minister may wish to authorize Leith-Ross24 and his colleagues to convey what approaches and ideas he believes worth our mutual consideration.
Inform Atherton that it is very satisfactory that he should continue his informal conversations with the Prime Minister on this subject.
- Sir Frederick Leith-Ross, Chief Economic Adviser to the British Government.↩