840.48/5563
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Assistant Secretary of State (Acheson)
Mr. Hall called at his request. He inquired whether we had any message for him to give Sir Frederick Leith-Ross on the subject of the Dutch and Norwegian purchases of commodities for use after the war about which he spoke to me last week. I told Mr. Hall that I had conferred with the Under Secretary upon this matter, who, after discussion with other officers of the Department, had authorized me to reply to Mr. Hall as follows:
- First. So far as this Department knew neither the Dutch nor the Norwegians had informed this Government of their intention to purchase or their actual purchases insofar as they had taken place.
- Second. The Department regarded such purchasing at the present time as most unfortunate, both because of the confusion which it would introduce into the post-war reconstruction effort and the effect which it would have upon the prices and supplies of materials, many of which were already scarce.
- Third. If Sir Frederick thought it advisable, as seemed to be the case, he could say to the Dutch and Norwegians, and any other exiled governments which were considering similar action, that the British and American Governments had under active discussion a proposed organization for post-war relief, which it was hoped would shortly be laid before the other governments.
- Fourth. We hoped very shortly to be able to reply to the British inquiry regarding our views on the post-war relief organization.
Mr. Hall stated that this reply would be most helpful and again expressed his hope that we could shortly give the British Government our view.