793.94 Conference/63: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Belgium (Gibson)
53. Several days ago the British approached us with the suggestion that with a view to avoiding delay each of the governments originally invited to attend the Brussels Conference should ask the Belgian Government to issue to the German and Soviet Governments invitations to the Conference. We replied that it seemed preferable to us that this matter be decided when the Conference convenes. The British have now made a further approach renewing their original suggestion. We have replied that, on the assumption that the Belgian Government would issue invitations to the German and Soviet Governments only when the Belgian Government had been requested to do so by all the governments party to the Nine Power Treaty which will attend the meeting at Brussels, this Government acquiesces in the British Government’s suggestion. We also emphasized to the British our desire that in the carrying out of the British suggestion there be avoided any appearance of a joint American-British move.
Please inform the Belgian Foreign Minister orally that this Government acquiesces in the British suggestion on the assumption indicated above. Please say also that as soon as the Belgian Government is in position to issue these further invitations the Belgian Government may construe your present approach as a request by this Government that the Belgian Government take such action; also that pending such time we request that the Belgian Government regard as confidential this indication of our attitude.