611.5531/735: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Belgium (Gibson)

18. Your 37, March 30, 1 p.m. Culbertson is being instructed to proceed to Brussels at the first convenient opportunity and will notify you as far in advance as possible.

The Department feels, however, that the discussions would be more fruitful if the Belgian counter draft were available here in Washington. Culbertson is not authorized to commit this Government but would have to refer all questions here for decision.

As Suetens does not desire to send final counter draft to Washington until after discussion with Culbertson, the Department desires that you endeavor to persuade Suetens to give you very informally and [Page 209] without committing the Belgian Government a copy of the tentative counter draft in its present form. With the tentative counter draft available the Department would be able to instruct Culbertson much more efficaciously.

Hull