800.796/567: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 1—8:43 p.m.]
1689. Beaverbrook is considering a suggestion, which may be discussed Thursday at the meeting of the Air Transport Committee of the Cabinet, that the United States be requested to call a general United Nations air conference without any prior announced preliminary discussions among some of the nations. At the same time it would be suggested that Lord Beaverbrook exchange informal views with the United States only during a few days or a week before the opening of the general meeting. If some such arrangement cannot be worked out there is some feeling here that there are only three possibilities, (1) a reversion to the “original” plan of preliminary Anglo-United States talks only, (2) a full United Nations conference (perhaps with some neutrals) without any preliminary discussions or (3) a postponement of the discussions.
The British have received a communication from Canada protesting against the inclusion of the other Dominions in the preliminary talks.
[Page 398]With reference to the Department’s instruction No. 3744, February 16, Beaverbrook’s office has on numerous occasions pointed out that the British Government did not want or expect the Canadians to be present at the preliminary discussions.