800.85/10–3144: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in the United Kingdom (Gallman)
Washington, October 31,
1944.
9095. SD 4130. To Brown and O’Boyle from Morse and Chubb.
- 1.
- Referring our night letter October 2018 and final sentence paragraph 3 minutes of planning committee meeting October 719 it was my understanding that O’Boyle and Brunt would prepare an extract of the various minutes of the planning committee covering policy questions raised but remitted to Executive Board for action. If practical would like to receive this well in advance of Executive Board meeting.
- 2.
- Have various contracting nations indicated informally their advance approval of planning committee report as suggested at final meeting of planning committee?
- 3.
- In view of many questions requiring joint Anglo-American consideration we are hopeful Weston will arrive well before November 20.
- 4.
- Proposed form of invitation meets with our approval as does proposed agenda on understanding latter is provisional only.
- 5.
- At meeting with representatives of Mission today we submitted proposed listing of detailed matters to come up before Executive Board together with schedule of meetings. Copy of this being forwarded you by air pouch today. In general this calls for discussion on your points 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 on Monday November 20 by full UMEB. Proposal is that following three days be devoted to meetings of SEPC, of committee on currency and of other committees appointed by UMEB at opening session and that on Friday November 24 final meeting of Executive Board be held at which reports of foregoing committees will be considered and a program established for the transition of UMEB from a paper organization to a going concern.
- 6.
- In connection with last item we today discussed with Mission proper machinery for dealing with situation which may arise prior to cessation of hostilities with Germany, if any vessels falling within the UMEB framework go off charter prior to that date. This might arise through exercise of charter termination privileges by liberated governments as to vessels required for their essential import requirements or might arise in the case of certain neutrals not now signatory. We have always considered that these problems would be taken care of by tri-partite agreement but suggestion was made today that we consider an addendum to the agreement on principles authorizing the commencement of the operation of the central authority with respect to such vessels prior to the cessation of hostilities with Germany. Our feeling is that this might avoid necessity of short term interim arrangements and that control through UMEB might have advantages over tri-partite arrangements. This suggestion does not represent a definite view on our part but suggest you cable us your reaction and if you feel it advisable discuss informally with British. [Morse and Chubb.]
Stettinius