500.A15A5/496: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Bingham) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 27—9:05 a.m.]
475. By agreement made earlier in the week first exchange of views were held this morning (see Department’s 261, of September 19, 6 p.m.), details follow.
This morning’s Daily Express and Daily Mail carry headline story that British Government will shortly inform the United States that she intends to invoke the escalator clause. Consequently, all newspapermen have been busy this morning and did discover from an Admiralty source that an Admiralty representative was in consultation with a representative of the American Embassy. Consequently, when Mr. Atherton and Captain Anderson left the Foreign Office today they were beset by newspaper reporters but refused any comment except that they had no knowledge of the story printed in the Daily Express.
Foreign Office has just informed me that in reply to press inquiries they have already stated that there is no foundation for the Daily Express and Daily Mail story, and will reply to further inquiries if necessary that through diplomatic channels the British and Americans did discuss today certain points arising out of the British memorandum of August 2nd in regard to the holding of a further naval conference. They will likewise add if pressed that present at these conversations were not only Mr. Craigie and Mr. Atherton, but that [Page 116] also the Naval Attaché of this Embassy was brought into the discussion.
Please inform Navy.