781.003/65: Telegram
The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
London, December 29, 1937—8
p.m.
[Received December 29—3:25 p.m.]
[Received December 29—3:25 p.m.]
810. My 798, December 21, 7 p.m.; and your 496, December 18, 1 p.m.
- 1.
- The Foreign Office states in further conversation that they approve in general the expression of principles set forth in Department’s confidential memorandum. In their opinion it would be helpful in negotiating with the French to be able to inform the latter that they have an expression of the United States Government’s views and of the general purport of those views. The British are interested in protecting different commodities from those we desire to protect in Morocco but as I understand it we are both working for the establishment of the same principles and as the British negotiations are being conducted in advance of our own, it might be to our eventual benefit to strengthen their hand as much as possible. The British clearly feel that the permission they have requested would be a strategic advantage.
- 2.
- I was informed that the Foreign Office wishes to furnish us with full information at once as to their negotiations with the French. This they cannot do without the consent of the French, which was requested of the French delegates when they were here. According to the Foreign Office, the reaction of the principal French delegate was not unfavorable but the British were informed definitely that the French delegates had no authority to give such permission and would have to consult with St. Quentin42 in the French Foreign Office. Whether a reply will be received to this request before the negotiators meet again in Paris at the end of next month is, of course, uncertain.
- 3.
- Murray’s letter of December 1343 and enclosures. The Foreign Office states that they envisage eventually the conclusion of an agreement with Spain for the abolition of capitulatory rights in the Spanish zone in the form of a convention parallel to the one negotiated with France. The Foreign Office concurs in general with the views expressed by Murray in his letter of December 13 to Mr. Maxwell Blake to the effect that the convention with France in no way affected the Spanish or Tangier zones of Morocco and that, with respect to the Spanish zone, an entirely separate agreement with the Spanish Government would be necessary.
- 4.
- The information contained in the Department’s instruction 2065, December 14, was communicated orally to the Foreign Office, for which they expressed appreciation.
Johnson