Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1944, General: Economic and Social Matters, Volume II

840.70/9–3044: Telegram

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

London, September 30, 1944—5 p.m.
[Received—6:31 p.m.]

8182. For Berle from Allison, Moats and Hooker. ReDepts 7868, September 27, 9 [3] p.m.³¹ At a meeting yesterday afternoon at the Foreign Office with Hayter³² and representative of Ministry of War Transport, we took the position that the formation of the Interim Commission should not be referred to the Conference or otherwise delayed beyond discussing it with Soviet delegation immediately after their arrival which will be Monday, October 2, at the earliest. British stated that they had now gone beyond the view transmitted to the Department in the Embassy’s 7960 [7966], of September 25, and questioned whether anything could be gained by setting up the Commission at this late date. In reply we stated that the original reason for creating the Commission (that is to plan the technical work of the organization, establish liaison with the military and generals so as much as can be done in advance of the formation of the organization) still existed with full force. Another meeting with the British is to be arranged for Monday, October 2 at which we will again urge that the Commission be set up immediately after ascertaining the Soviet point of view, with or without their participation. The British attitude appears to be based largely on the belief that EITO itself will be established immediately and that the Interim Commission will not therefore be necessary. They assume that the Conference would be brought to a successful conclusion within two weeks, although upon being pressed, they admit to no tangible reason for such optimism. They conceded that if it becomes apparent that the Conference may last substantially longer, the Commission should then go ahead. It is hoped on Monday to make further progress along this line. It is doubtful, however, if the British will commit themselves until the Soviet attitude has been ascertained, both with respect to the Interim Commission and to modifications in the draft agreement discussion of which might delay the speedy termination of the Conference.

ReDepts 7900 of September 28.³³ In view of the above it is questionable if Clay³⁴ should leave as early as planned if his only activities are to be in connection with the Commission. If, however, the Department wishes him to participate in the Conference, we would welcome his appointment to the delegation.

While it should be useful to have someone on Clay’s staff familiar with CPRB³⁵ and WPB³⁶ procedures, we feel that his personal staff should all be on the Department’s payroll and responsible only to him and Clay, there should be no such equivocal relationship as Eaton’s suggestion³⁷ would entail. In this connection, it is, of course, understood that our Government’s contribution to the expenses of the Commission will not be limited to salaries and expenses of Clay and his staff but will include our share of the expenses of the Secretariat and other staff to be hired by the Commission as such, in accordance with paragraph 6 of draft directive, and that United States citizens responsible to the Commission as a whole may well be included.

In view of the shortage of stenographic assistance in the Embassy, it is suggested that Clay bring a stenographer when he comes. [Allison, Moats, and Hooker.]

Winant

31. Not printed.
32. William G. Hayter, First Secretary, British Foreign Office.
33. Not printed.
34. In telegram 7782, September 23, to London, the Department notified the Embassy that it was appointing Cassius M. Clay, General Solicitor of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, as U.S. Commissioner on the Interim Commission of EITO (840.70/9–2344).
35. Combined Production and Resources Board.
36. War Production Board.
37. Frederick M. Eaton, deputy member, United States Section, Combined Production and Resources Board; Solicitor for War Production Board. His suggestion, transmitted in Department’s 7900, September 28, to London, was that one or two transportation men from WPB be detailed to the Mission for Economic Affairs, to be at the disposal of the Ambassador, who could then assign them to Mr. Clay. (840.70/9–2844)