840.70/11–2244: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 22—4:58 p.m.]
10271. Ronald advises that Cadogan delivered to Gousev this afternoon the British reply to the Soviet note about the EITO Conference. Gousev, after reading it, commented “then there is complete disagreement” to which Cadogan assented and then proceeded to speak his “prepared piece”, in conciliatory vein, saying that there would’ve been no meeting of the Conference until the Soviets had had time to reply, and that he hoped it would be possible to get on informally with the work of agreeing to the text of an EITO document which would embody the views of the various participants. Gousev’s demeanor was icy and he indicated that he was “not impressed” and ended by saying that he would report fully to Moscow.
Ronald advises that the British Embassy in Washington is being fully informed of what transpired and instructed to inform the Department. Ronald himself is of the opinion that the Soviet Delegation will return to Moscow, although he still hopes that the Soviets will ultimately participate in EITO.