Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1942, General; the British Commonwealth; the Far East, Volume I

841.24/1502

Memorandum of Conversation, by Mr. Theodore C. Achilles of the Division of European Affairs

[Washington,] June 1, 1942.

Mr. Bewley called at Mr. Acheson’s request to receive the draft exchange of notes concerning Reverse Lend-Lease from the United Kingdom.

Mr. Bewley made little comment on the draft but said that he would give a copy to Sir Frederick Phillips who is leaving tonight for London. He noticed the reference in the draft Australian note to “an agreement of May . . , 1942”⁴⁴ and said he believed London would still prefer to blanket the Dominions into the United Kingdom agreement. Mr. Acheson explained that any fears London might have that separate agreements with the Dominions would alter the existing procurement procedure were entirely unfounded.

44. Whereas the British draft read: “With a view to supplementing Articles II and VI of the Agreement of February 23, 1942 …” the Australian draft substituted “an agreement of May . . , 1942”.