840.70/11–2244: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 22—5:48 p.m.]
10265. Noel-Baker met with Massigli last evening November 21, and after explaining to him the background of the present position of the EITO Conference, submitted to him the proposed redraft of the agreement, embodying modifications of the revised draft that is in the hands of the Department, designed to clarify the position of [Page 880] governments whose membership would be deferred by the working of the Ronald formula, none of which modifications substantively affect the formula.
There was no discussion whatever of any interim arrangement and the discussion was confined to the position of the Conference and the proposed plans for bringing EITO into being.
Massigli stated that he would have to consult his Government, which might take some days. He made it clear that the French were most anxious not to raise any issues of controversy with the Soviets, at least until De Gaulle’s return from Moscow. Giving his own personal reactions, he said that he doubted whether the Poles would accept the Ronald formula and he gave Noel-Baker the impression that in general he would tend to support the position of the Poles. He also agreed with the position of the United States and United Kingdom in refusing the Soviet request to substitute the Polish Committee for the Polish Government. He indicated doubts as to the acceptability of the Ronald formula to the Soviets, indicating that he feared they would still insist on the participation of the Polish Committee.
He indicated that the French would have no objection, if after considering the proposed redraft they came to the conclusion it had a fair chance of being accepted by the Continental Allies, either to calling a meeting of the Continental Allies or to participating with us in calling such a meeting to consider it.
He also indicated as his personal view that he felt it would be desirable and necessary to go ahead with EITO even if the Soviets should be unwilling to participate, although every effort should be made to bring them in and it should be made clear to them that participation would at all times be held open to them and would continue at all times to be most earnestly desired. He thoroughly endorsed the proposition that there should be such an organization as EITO to deal with the inland transport problems of Europe.