811.0141 Phoenix Group/87½
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Counselor of the Department of State (Moore)
This morning Mr. Moffat informed me that the British Ambassador had phoned him withdrawing his statement made yesterday to the effect that he had no objection to a survey party going from Pago Pago to Canton Island. Thereupon I talked by telephone with the Ambassador who said he simply desired to reverse himself to the extent indicated, but he did not urge that the party should not go. I said to him, and he acquiesced, that nothing is intended to be done to interfere in any way with the friendly understanding that has been had, and that upon the basis of what has already occurred, it would seem very certain that the two Governments will make satisfactory arrangements for the use of the Island. I mentioned to him that one reason for the trip to Pago Pago is that we understand a British naval vessel is proceeding, or is about to proceed, to Canton for the purpose of the same kind of inspection of locations as the Americans intended to make.
Following my talk with the British Ambassador, at which time Mr. Moffat was in my office, he and I saw the Secretary, who had already said that the President does not object to the use of the Navy tug from Pago Pago to Canton and the Secretary indicated he did not consider that the Ambassador’s statement had changed the situation.
The British Ambassador advised that he would be here Monday to discuss the matter.