500.A15A4 General Committee (Arms)/108: Telegram
The American Delegate ( Wilson ) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 27—3:15 p.m.]
994. Your 472, February 25, 7 p.m., paragraph 5. No one has yet opposed the British suggestion and several speakers have favored it. Immediately after Stanhope’s introduction of the project Aubert said privately that he personally saw no reason why it could not be accepted and he informed me yesterday that he had asked for instructions immediately but had not yet received them.
I note a tendency in the British press to contrast the British and American proposals pointing out that the British proposal goes further in some respects than ours, notably in the matter of the prohibition of Government credits for export on arms. It would appear to me strategically advantageous to take an early opportunity of announcing that we support this particular item in order to concentrate on the British the full responsibility of not falling in with the wishes of the majority. At the same time it would make it easier to deal with the British in finding solutions on matters of more importance to us.
Unless you feel strongly that I should await the French decision I would prefer to make a statement on Friday morning, presumably the last plenary meeting for some time.
Please instruct.