893.51/6156: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Bingham) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 1—8:30 a.m.]
239. Foreign Office asked that Atherton call today with reference to my 186, April 7, 6 p.m., and stated that the Treasury which is handling this matter was unwilling to assume the responsibility involved by making any suggestions to British bondholders in the settlement of this issue that had been negotiated unofficially, although Leith-Ross had been kept informed of the course of the negotiations. It was confidentially added that Leith-Ross had some 2 months ago suggested that he might well return to England but the Chancellor of the Exchequer felt on the contrary that his presence in the East continued to be useful. In conclusion Foreign Office stated it was understood British and American Bondholders Committees were in communication.