840.50/9–1144: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)
7414. ReEmbs 7457, September 11. Following self-explanatory telegram has been sent to Moscow:19
“ReEmbs 3403 of September 9, 9 p.m. Department feels that inarch of events makes it urgently necessary to set up Interim Commission as soon as possible.
Unless you feel therefore that it would be futile or harmful to approach Soviet Foreign Office again so soon on this subject, you should immediately approach Soviets concerning their attitude to the establishment of the Interim Commission, expressing the sincere hope that the Soviet Government will fully participate in the Commission if possible and at least appoint an observer.
[Page 790]This is your authority to concert with Kerr when he has received appropriate instructions to approach Soviets concerning the Interim Commission.
Department hopes that Soviets will be in a position to participate fully in the London Conference when it convenes. Failing full participation, Department assumes Soviets are prepared to have an observer at Conference. If this has not been indicated, you should make every effort to persuade Soviets to participate at least to this extent.”
Department anticipates that Foreign Office is agreeable to giving Kerr similar instructions for concerted approach to Soviets on Interim Commission.
When Soviet attitude is known, it is assumed that Foreign Office intends to address further communication on part of the U.S., U.K. and possibly U.S.S.R. to other allied governments informing them of the establishment of the Interim Commission in the sense of paragraphs 6, 7, 8 and 9 of Draft B (Embassy’s 7097, August 31) as amended, which are being omitted in Foreign Office’s present communication forwarding draft agreement. Department requests the opportunity to approve text of such a subsequent communication.
For the confidential information of the Embassy only: The Department has selected a civilian as the United States Commissioner to the Interim Commission. His name is now before the President for approval. The Embassy will be duly advised.
- Telegram 2194, September 12, 8 p.m.↩