103.9164 London: Telegram

The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Bucknell) to the Secretary of State

3971. To the Department and Land, WSA, from Reed. Leathers advises that Weston will leave for Washington May 17 or 18 to discuss with you the proposals made by the British Government in their memorandum of March 7 with respect to international control of shipping after the liberation of Europe. Leathers is most anxious to get the acceptance of the Allies [garbled group] continuing obligation as to the use of the IRS [their ships?] after the expiration of their [Page 648] existing charters with the USA and British and hopes that agreement can be reached quickly on the terms of a simple memorandum to be presented to the Allies. Anything you can do to expedite progress of discussions with Weston and his early return will be much appreciated.13 [Reed.]

Bucknell
  1. No record found in the Department files of the discussions at Washington between Land and Weston. For texts of documents which they initialed as a result of the discussions, see Memorandum of Principles, May 31, and supplement, June 2, pp. 652 and 655, respectively.