793.94 Conference/4: Telegram

The Chargé in the United Kingdom ( Johnson ) to the Secretary of State

My 640, October 8, 9 p.m.

1.
Foreign Office advises that the Netherlands is unwilling to offer The Hague as a meeting place or to take any initiative in calling the Conference, for reasons based on the extent and vulnerability of her Asiatic Empire.
2.
The President’s suggestions were telephoned to the Foreign Secretary who after receipt of the Dutch refusal authorized instructions to be sent to the British Ambassador at Brussels to approach the Belgian Prime Minister. I understand from the Foreign Office that the line to be taken by the British Ambassador in making this approach will follow closely the suggestions of the President as telephoned [Page 71] by Dunn to me and the date of October 25th will be suggested.
3.
The British Chargé d’Affaires will be instructed, so the Foreign Office says, to communicate in full to the Department the instructions sent to Brussels.
Johnson