800.85/8–144: Telegram

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

6115. For Berle and Land, WSA. The Foreign Office and MWT feel strongly that it would be desirable to inform the Russians of the results of the Inter-Allied Shipping Conference prior to any announcement in the press.

Inasmuch as it is now hoped that the agreement on principles can be signed on Friday, August 4, the Foreign Office have proposed that a representative of the Soviet Embassy be invited to the office of Hayter,37 acting head of the General Department, in Le Rougetel’s38 absence, on Thursday afternoon where he will be received by Hayter and a representative of the American Embassy, presumably Allison. [Page 674] They would refer to the notification given the Soviet Government by the British and American Ambassadors in Moscow, as outlined in the Embassy’s 5383, July 7, 11 p.m., and would then hand him a copy of the Agreement on Principles and annex.

Unless instructions to the contrary are received, Allison will join with Hayter in carrying out the above procedure the afternoon of August 3.

Winant
  1. William G. Hayter, Counsellor, British Foreign Office.
  2. John H. Le Rougetel, Counsellor, British Foreign Office.