550.S1 Economic Commission/85: Telegram
The Consul at Geneva ( Gilbert ) to the Secretary of State
Geneva
, September 28,
1933—5 p.m.
[Received 5:32 p.m.]
[Received 5:32 p.m.]
202. Department’s 87, September 14, 4 p.m.
- 1.
- Stoppani informs me that in his preliminary exploration of the question, as forecast in my 190, September 15, 4 [9] p.m.,4 paragraph 3, he finds that the British, while they had originally felt that adjustments in the international copper situation might better be left to private producers, are now, in view of the interest of the United States, inclined to be willing to participate in intergovernmental conversations.
- 2.
- Stoppani further informs me that Colijn, by virtue of his position as described in my 187, September 14, 9 a.m. [p.m.? ],5 paragraph 2, had called together for 9 a.m., next Saturday a small group in order to examine the possibility of proceeding with the question of copper in any form. Those who will be present are Van Langenhove of the Belgian Foreign Office for the Belgian Congo, Hill of the British Board of Trade for Northern Rhodesia, the Chilean Minister at Brussels, Riddle for Canada, and a representative each for Bolivia and Peru.
- 3.
- Stoppani stressing the entirely informal character of this inquiry asked if the United States desired to have anyone present.
- 4.
- My personal comment is that for the single purpose of displaying our
interest, our presence is scarcely necessary as our position in general
has already confidentially been made known by Stoppani in exploring the
situation. The only purposes which I can see could be served are:
- (a)
- A confirmatory indication of our presence as listeners which would also afford an opportunity of learning the trend to the conversations. (I could, however, obtain this later);
- (b)
- An opportunity for the Department to convey a general assertion of our interest or some more detailed or specific statement.
Please instruct.
Gilbert