550.S1 Economic Commission/97: Telegram

The Consul at Geneva ( Gilbert ) to the Secretary of State

252. Department’s telegram No. 103, October 9, 10 a.m.; and 105, October 12, 8 p.m.

1. Although Stoppani makes informal progressive reports to Colijn in the matter of copper the consideration of the question will remain in Geneva for the present and no definite recommendations will be formulated until the matter has further crystalized.

2. Although in Consulate’s No. 218, October 6, noon, I forwarded the “replies” of certain Governments my considered estimate of the situation as seen here is that all of the Governments involved are either somewhat opposed or indifferent to any form of copper conversations. Thus their attitude and their replies are not clear cut; they either propose leaving the matter to the producers or make no indication of their policy.

However, were a decision to hold some kind of a conference adopted in principle, the question of the character of the representation is not envisaged as an obstacle as it would not have the same significance for the other states as it has for the United States, inasmuch as in many cases their national copper industry is confined to one great producer and there would be but little practical difference between a government official “representing” the industry or a great producer representing himself.

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3. The present status of the information at hand in the Economic Section is still substantially as reported in my 218 with the addition of Australia which is opposed to any conference which would have for its end restriction of production.

4. The crux of the situation seems here to lie between the United States and Great Britain. Could the British be persuaded as a compromise from their position to agree to an arrangement which would at the same time sufficiently meet the desires of the United States and could a specific proposal supported by these two Governments be brought forward, it is felt that other Governments including the Belgian and in particular the Latin American states would fall into line.

Gilbert