840.50/390½: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 6—8:05 p.m.]
2398. Reference Embassy’s telegram No. 2397, May 5. Following is the draft text of the memorandum which it is proposed that we and the British should present to the Dutch and Norwegian representatives at the informal meeting discussed in section 1 of my telegram No. 2397.
“The question of coordinating current purchases by the Allied Governments of supplies for post-war relief purposes in pursuance of the common aim expressed at the meeting at St. James’s Palace on [Page 103] September 24th, that supplies of food, raw materials and articles of prime necessity should be made available for post-war needs to the countries liberated from Nazi oppression, has been a matter of great concern to His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom.
Since the date of that meeting two events of major importance have occurred: The United States has entered the war and has associated itself fully with the Allied Governments in their work of coordinating post-war relief, and the rapid extension of the war in the Far East has materially changed the supply position for a number of important commodities.
The increasing supply difficulties make it essential that the collaboration to which the Allied Governments pledged themselves in the Allied resolution of September 24th should be fully observed in any current activities for the purchase of goods for post-war relief. Hitherto, such collaboration was desirable as a precaution against competitive bidding; it is now essential in order that the danger of hampering the war effort be avoided.
His Majesty’s Government have recently consulted the Government of the United States, who state that they were unaware that purchasing for post-war needs was being undertaken by some of the Allied Governments at the present time and express the view that the continuance of such activities is contrary to the best interests of the United States [sic] Nations.
The United States Government accordingly trust that the Allied Governments will agree in principle to consult the Anglo-American supply authorities and will coordinate their purchases with these authorities insofar as they may feel it necessary to pursue individually a policy of purchasing. They express the hope, however, that the Allied Governments will suspend their activities for the time being until His Majesty’s Government and the United States Government have consulted together, with a view to formulating a programme for the consideration of the Allied Governments. It is the intention of the United States Government, in asking for a suspension of independent Allied action pending such consultation, to proceed as rapidly as possible to discuss the means whereby a common policy and action can be developed in the near future in agreement with the Allied Governments.”