793.94 Conference/27: Telegram
The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 15—noon.]
651. My 650, October 15, 1 p.m. At the request of a Foreign Office official I have met with him and with Baron Guillaume. Baron Guillaume expressed the Belgian attitude very much as indicated in Brussels’ 86, October 14, 6 p.m. I understand from him that what the Belgian Government desires to do is to extend the invitation saying that they are doing so “at the request of the American and British Governments”. The Foreign Office is quite willing for this expression to be used about the British Government and Baron Guillaume has inquired whether the United States will object. He said that in the event that the United States should object they would propose to say that the invitation is being extended “at the request of the British Government and that the request of the British Government has received the support of the United States”. Baron Guillaume said that his Government had no objection whatever in principle to extending the invitation under the conditions stated and of offering Brussels as the place of meeting but that his Government feels strongly that the invitation should be so worded as to make it clear that Belgium is not principal party in the undertaking nor its initiator. Baron Guillaume returns to Belgium tonight and it was the earnestly expressed [Page 80] wish of both the Foreign Office and Baron Guillaume that the Department might find it possible to telegraph immediately whether or not it objects to the invitation being extended “at the request of the American and British Governments”, or alternatively “at the request of the British Government which has received the support of the United States Government”. Both the British and the Belgians hope we will approve the first formula. The Foreign Office is urging on the Belgians the need for immediate action and in fact the Foreign Office is very desirous of issuing a press communiqué tonight if possible.