585.61B1/592: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State

3218. The Department’s telegram 2699, July 21, regarding load lines was explained urgently to the Foreign Office on July 22. On July 24 the Foreign Office stated orally that after a meeting of the highest British authorities concerned it was not found possible to agree to the Department’s plan. A long explanatory note has just been received from the Foreign Office embodying draft of a note British Government proposes to send to signatories with whom it has diplomatic relations inviting assent to a declaration modifying the convention to permit loading (a) to tropical marks instead of summer marks and (b) to fresh water tropical marks instead of existing tropical marks.

Copies will be sent by air pouch 28th.33

Winant
  1. Despatch No. 1043, July 28, not printed.