840.50/396: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 5—11:10 p.m.]
2397. For the Secretary, Under Secretary, and Assistant Secretaries concerned. Informal meeting held yesterday about post-war Allied relief plans with Leith-Ross organization. Present were representative of Foreign Office, Riefler,14 and Steyne15 from Embassy, and Chief Executive of Leith-Ross staff.
[Page 101]Principal subjects under discussion were:
- (1)
- Allied supply pool and desire of Norwegians and Dutch, et cetera, to make immediate purchases of certain basic foodstuffs and clothing supplies on their own apart from pool purchases.
- (2)
- The urgent need for a reply to the Russian note of January 13 last (Embassy’s telegram No. 327, January 22).
- (3)
- Selection of chairmen for the proposed technical sub-committees on nutrition, medical services and transport.
- (4)
- Repatriation of individuals who have been transferred by Germans or fled from homes as result of war.
- (5)
- Organization of skeleton field relief service for emergency use in certain coastal areas of Europe which may be reoccupied by Allied forces this year.
The following paragraphs outline the pertinent details of the above:
1. Noel Hall has telegraphed Leith-Ross about his interview with Acheson concerning American attitude towards independent purchase of relief supplies by individual Allied Governments in London, apart from proposed Allied pool purchasing scheme.
Dutch and Norwegians specifically, at the moment, desire to make immediate purchases “on their own” of foodstuffs and clothing, with Yugoslavs and Greeks also prepared to do likewise, latter on rather small scale should Allied purchasing pool not be established shortly.
Views of both British and American Governments coincide with respect to unwisdom of these separate purchases, it is proposed that Leith-Ross together with Riefler and Steyne informally meet Lie, Acting Prime Minister of Norway, and Lamping, Economic Advisor of Netherlands Government, respectively, and jointly state to them the Anglo-American viewpoint possibly also giving each a brief memorandum, the proposed text of which is given in Embassy’s telegram No. 2398 dated May 516 being sent simultaneously with this message.
Would appreciate confirmation that this proposal is satisfactory just as soon as possible as British desire to present the above memorandum to Norwegians and Dutch this week.
2. Leith-Ross is concerned about delay in replying to Maisky’s note of January 13, last, which is being held up awaiting American viewpoint. I have told him that American proposals may be expected shortly. Should it be impossible to have Department’s proposals in my hands by beginning of next week, might I suggest cabling me at least Washington’s suggestions as to the sort of reply which should be made to Russians. The delay is definitely beginning to be embarrassing to British and other governments in London which are holding up their replies awaiting American views.
[Page 102]3. The selection of chairmen of proposed technical sub-committees on nutrition, medical services and transport is a matter of some urgency.
[Here follow two paragraphs on suggested selections for chairmanships.]
4. Leith-Ross is making preliminary plans with regard to repatriation of displaced nationals of occupied states and is anxious to receive just as soon as possible American suggestions. I have told him that Department’s proposals may be expected shortly.
5. British feel that it is urgent to organize a skeleton field service relief force in case any successful invasion this summer of European territory and penetration inland a considerable distance presents problem of feeding civil population. It may be expected that army would assume this responsibility immediately upon successful occupation but that longer term proposition would be responsibility of Allied Relief Bureau. Norwegian and Dutch Governments here could probably handle organization problems in their own countries, but in France it seems likely task would fall upon Allied Committee.
British therefore feel that at least small scale organization must be established immediately to be prepared for any eventuality and to concert plans in liaison with military.
They therefore would appreciate knowing just as soon as possible American ideas on this subject and to what extent they may expect cooperation and active assistance of United States of America.
6. If Department feels it would be helpful, Leith-Ross would be prepared to go to Washington for short period to discuss these matters. It was expected that I would bring back the American reply to the Russian note and the British relief proposals. We have postponed our answer now more than 2 months and it is difficult for me to give reasonable answers for our failure to reply. I hope you will be able to assist me in this situation.