111 Advisory Committee/246: Telegram

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

3538. To Land, WSA, from Reed. Refer Department’s 3297. At Stettinius’s request I have informed Lord Leathers that you and State Department have accepted the principles and purposes of the British memorandum of March 7 but would like to explore further the exact form of the organization, its powers and structure, and that you believe that these discussions can most efficiently be handled between WSA and the BMSM11 in Washington. Lord Leathers said he would undertake to send Mr. Weston12 to Washington sometime after the next fortnight [apparent omission] these discussions with you. He is most anxious to be advised as soon as possible of your detailed views in regard to the form of the proposed organization so that your proposals can be discussed here and Weston properly briefed before he leaves. Have you any objections to my informing Leathers of the contents of the Department’s 2519 as a preliminary step? I suggest [Page 647] in addition you cable me further amplification of your tentative views in regard to this matter for me to pass on to Leathers. [Reed.]

Winant
  1. British Merchant Shipping Mission in Washington.
  2. W. G. Weston, head of Foreign Shipping Relations Division, British Ministry of War Transport.