811.0141 Phoenix Group/16½
Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of European Affairs (Moffat)
I saw Sir Ronald Lindsay this morning apropos of another matter, and asked him if he had received any reply to the proposal we had made regarding methods of discussing the islands in the Pacific to which there were conflicting claims. He replied that he had not had an answer and frankly did not anticipate one for some time, as he felt that the British Government would not make a move on the matter without consulting Australia and New Zealand. I replied that I could well understand this when it came to questions of substance but that all we were interested in now was in trying to work out a means of settling the question without its arousing publicity or undue concern. Sir Ronald replied that he personally did not see that the situation had the makings of any public disagreement and added that as far as he was aware there were at most islands in two small groups to which there were conflicting claims. I asked him if he would mention the matter when he reached London as it seemed to me that our proposals were procedural only and acceptance might forestall possible criticism in either press. He agreed to do so.