Office of the Historian

102.1/10–1844: Telegram

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

London, October 18, 1944—8 p.m.
[Received October 18—7:18 a.m.]

8897. For Treasury and FEA. ReDepts 7966, September 29, 11 p.m. After further discussion with British Treasury, MEW has today instructed representatives at Stockholm, Lisbon, Ankara and Madrid to join in effort to have those Governments adopt the desired gold policy by presenting a note the terms of which are summarized below. This note however is not to be presented until you have had an opportunity to consider the present telegram and the Missions are given the final instructions by MEW and ourselves.

[Page 241]

First paragraph of note refers to declaration of February 22 concerning looted gold and note of October 2 on Bretton Woods Resolution VI. Second paragraph states that ample evidence exists that all Germany’s pre-war gold stocks have been exhausted and therefore gold now in their possession is presumed to be looted. Third paragraph states that His Majesty’s Government “expect” neutral government concerned to take steps which are set forth in exact terms of the formula contained in Department’s instructions to Missions of September 1.

MEW feels the matter could be best handled by the simple presentation of a note to which no reply would be expected rather than by entering into discussions which might possibly be prolonged or the demanding of an undertaking which could only be considered in fact negotiating. While MEW’s instructions to United Kingdom Missions do not appear to conflict materially with the Department’s instructions to American Missions of September 1 the exchanges of telegrams with the Department indicate desire on the part of the Department to have the Missions urge adoption of the policy and obtain an undertaking as is in fact being done with the Swiss. MEW has no desire to change policy towards Swiss since the effort is already under way and if Department concurs in the views expressed above Embassy will arrange to have both Missions in each country instructed immediately to proceed.

Winant