840.48 Refugees/1181: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in the United Kingdom (Johnson)
816. For Myron Taylor. Your 1465, December 28, 3 p.m. The President and I see considerable merit in the idea of letting Sir Herbert Emerson succeed Rublee after the conclusion of the meeting of the full committee provided we can be certain that the work of the committee will be carried forward with full vigor and that it will not become a subsidiary of the League High Commission. We appreciate greatly what Rublee has done and will note his resignation with very real regret. If, however, Emerson is elected Director, the possession by the British of both the Chairmanship and the Directorship would seem to give them too great a predominance as opposed to the United States which would have only a Vice Chairman and the Assistant Director. In the circumstances, do you feel that Winterton would be willing, if approached tactfully, to surrender the Chairmanship to you, thus creating a more or less even balance between the two national influences? It is obvious that Pell should remain on for 4 or 5 months at least with the new Director. However, we are anxious to have him return to the Department as soon as practicable and will be prepared to select another competent man to succeed him as Assistant Director.
Please let us have your views as soon as possible.