856D.6176/137: Telegram
The Chargé in Great Britain ( Atherton ) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 15—2:50 p.m.]
59. Department’s 43, February 12, 6 p.m.13 With the departure of Colijn from London the Colonial Office issued the following statement:
“Current reports to the effect that agreement has been reached for the regulation of rubber supplies are inaccurate and without authority. The above statement is made on the joint authority of His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom and the Government of the Netherlands.”
I have twice seen the appropriate authorities since this statement was issued and received an assurance today from the Permanent Under Secretary of State that if and when any tentative plan was worked out by the Colonial Office in these preliminary discussions and presented for the consideration of the Foreign Office it would be studied and examined with full relation to the British obligations under the resolution of the Economic and Monetary Conference, and with particular reference to section D of that resolution which emphasizes the satisfaction and cooperation of the consuming interests in the importing countries. Vansittart14 informed me that the final plan would be a Government measure and not merely a plan prepared under governmental auspices and turned over to the producers to put into effect.
Copy mailed The Hague.