033.4111/419

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Secretary of State

The British Minister, Sir Ronald Campbell, called at his request. He said that some weeks ago a proposed visit to this country by the British Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Law to inform himself at close range of the general international picture as viewed from the United States was acceptable to this Government, but had to be postponed. He said that now Under Secretary Law plans to come to this country about August twentieth as the guest of Ambassador Halifax and to remain some ten days; that he has no special purpose in coming except to familiarize himself at close range with questions and conditions relating to international affairs in which his Government is interested. I replied that, of course, he would be genuinely welcome.

The Minister then showed me a proposed announcement by the British Government of the visit of Under Secretary Law, which was along the foregoing lines. The Minister added that an economist of some note would accompany the Under Secretary, but that he was not mentioned in the announcement of the proposed visit. I suggested that the British Government insert in its announcement a statement to the effect that the Under Secretary was not coming for the purpose of any formal conferences or for the purpose of entering into any agreements. I then added that the economist might well be listed its an aide to the Under Secretary. The Minister agreed to send me later today a copy of the entire memorandum giving the details of the proposed visit of Under Secretary Law.41

C[ordell] H[ull]
  1. Not printed.