724.34119/69: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Argentina (Weddell)

110. For Gibson. Your 151, July 24, 9 p.m. In the past in similar cases when Justices of the United States Supreme Court have been invited to serve in international arbitrations, they have been invited through diplomatic channels, but their acceptance or refusal depends, of course, upon their own inclination. Presumably, if invited, a Supreme Court Justice would inquire whether the President has any objection to his acceptance of the invitation. In the contingency referred to by you, I can see no reasons why this Government should interpose any objection and the decision would therefore rest solely upon the willingness of the Supreme Court Justice selected to accept the duties involved. All of the Justices at present are away on their vacations, several of them in Europe, and it is not feasible to obtain any indication of their feeling in the matter. It therefore seems desirable for you to let developments take their course.

Phillips