740.00112A European War, 1939/35861: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom ( Winant )

6016. Reference your telegram no. 5845 of September 3 concerning possibility of creating uncertainty relative to post-war employment of Proclaimed and Statutory Lists.

Department has discussed with interested agencies and British and Canadian representatives on Interdepartmental Committee on Proclaimed List the proposal outlined in the Department’s A–775 of June 3, 1943, with the amendments suggested in your telegram under reference. The Department is desirous that any situation requiring a public or official statement at this time, here or in London, on the post-war status of the List be avoided. While Treasury and OEW35 continue to favor a public statement at this time, all are agreed on the desirability of proceeding with the program outlined in the Department’s A–775 of June 3, 1943 as amended by the telegram under reference. Accordingly, you are authorized to instruct the Missions in Bern, Stockholm, Madrid, and Lisbon to proceed to carry out this plan, making every effort, consistent with effective operations under the plan, to prevent a situation from arising which would call for an immediate public statement.

It does not appear to be feasible to formulate at this time the exact statement which would be issued if circumstances should require one. Such a statement could undoubtedly be worked out and agreed to at [Page 340] such time as it might have to be made. The views of the Department and interested agencies here would, however, probably be based largely upon the statement contained in your telegram no. 5845. It is assumed, of course, that no statement would be made on this subject by either the British or American Governments without prior consultation with the other.

Berle
  1. Office of Economic Warfare.