Office of the Historian

103.9164: Telegram

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

London, August 22, 1944.
[Received August 22—6:51 a.m.]

6782. To Land, WSA, for Morse from Reed by Brown.

1.
Have further discussed with Weston proposal for meeting with Allies August 24th. We agree meeting is desirable to suggest to Allies topics which might be considered by Planning Committee and type of personnel they will require. We agreed meeting should be held informally and not considered a meeting of the Planning Committee itself. Agenda would be roughly as follows:
(a)
Machinery for allocation of dry cargo ships: We would suggest formation of sub-committee of Planning Committee to examine Anglo-American paper to be circulated later (see our 6734, August 19th56 for suggested form of such paper). Contracting governments should nominate one or two experts for this sub-committee which would report to Planning Committee as soon as possible. Nicholson57 and Brunt58 would be MWT’s nominees to this sub-committee.
(b)
Comparable machinery in relation to tankers: We would propose a sub-committee on this question also. Anglo-American paper would be circulated as soon as possible as basis for discussion. Wackrill59 and Brunt would be MWT’s nominees. Meyers, Petroleum Attaché, and Lieutenant Commander Ritchie of Navy, who works with him on tanker problems here, are both fully familiar with tanker allocation procedure in United Kingdom as members of Allied Tanker Coordinating Committee and Tanker Advisory Committee. They would be available to work on this sub-committee if you so desired.
(c)
Freight rates: After discussions with Mann Anglo-American paper would be circulated, after which we would propose discussions on this subject in the Planning Committee itself. Necessary experts would be brought in by governments to assist their representative on the Planning Committee. Information about existing rates and procedures would be developed and consideration given to any special problems requiring urgent attention such as freight rates for shipments to liberated areas.
(d)
Control of ship warrant facilities: We would suggest subcommittees to deal with this subject to explain United States and United Kingdom procedures and measures to be taken by contracting governments in their own territories and coordinating action between various areas. Fraser and Brunt would be MWT nominees.
(e)
Coastal and short seas: We would propose sub-committee on this subject to recommend arrangements necessary to enable UMEB to keep a general eye on the relation between coastwise shipping and operation of the general pool. Definition of coasting trade in various areas would have to be developed. Similar questions must be considered in connection with short seas trades. We would suggest to contracting governments that they prepare papers explaining the coastal and short seas position in relation to their own territories to use as basis for sub-committee’s work. Keenlyside60 and representative of Coastal and Short Seas Division would be MWT’s nominees.
(f)
We would not propose to mention question of smaller craft under paragraph 8 of the Agreement at this stage.
2.
We would suggest that Planning Committee might start work in the week beginning September 11th after papers for discussion had been circulated by the conference secretariat. Ministry have suggested that Weston be chairman of Planning Committee. Please advise:
(a)
Do you approve informal meeting on August 24th and would Brown be authorized to attend for us?
(b)
Is general line of approach indicated above satisfactory?
(c)
How soon can you send Mann to undertake necessary Anglo-American advance discussions on rate question?
(d)
What are your suggestions for American membership on Planning Committee and its sub-committee?
(e)
Do you approve Weston as chairman of Planning Committee?
3.
Allison has seen this cable. Please inform Berle. [Reed.]
Winant
  1. Not printed.↩
  2. E. M. Nicholson, principal assistant secretary, Allocation and Tonnage Division, British Ministry of War Transport.↩
  3. P. A. Brunt, British Ministry of War Transport.↩
  4. W. F. Wackrill, assistant secretary, Tanker Division, British Ministry of War Transport.↩
  5. F. H. Keenlyside, assistant secretary, Division of Foreign Shipping Relations, British Ministry of War Transport.↩