800.796/11–344: Telegram
The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Gallman) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:28 p.m.]
9561. ReEmbs 9386, October 31, noon and 9399, October 31, 7 p.m. When we saw Warner at the Foreign Office today he told us that comments by Clark Kerr on the Soviet decision not to take part in the Chicago Aviation Conference had been received. Clark Kerr had expressed the view that Soviet anticipation of differences between the British and United States at the Conference had probably influenced the Soviets to stay away and thus avoid becoming involved in these differences. Clark Kerr added that he felt that the Soviets thought that at the same time they could, by taking this step, give emphasis to their attitude toward some of the countries with whom formal relations did not exist particularly toward Franco’s Spain.
Warner added a view of his own. He said he felt that the experience the Soviets had had at the UNRRA Conference at Montreal8 and more recently here in London at the EITO Conference, of finding themselves several times in a minority of one, had made them cautious and that they did not so soon want to join in another international conference where this experience might be repeated.