800.515/1052a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)
3545. The Secretary of the Treasury has asked me to transmit the following message to you:
“The Soviet Government has now advised us of their intention to participate in the conference and send a delegation to the United States. Therefore, whether or not a conference is held depends entirely on the response of the British Government to the question as to whether they would participate. This means that the calling of the conference depends now upon your success in obtaining British participation.
The President, as you know, has approved the calling of a conference at this time. While time is vital, I think it would be possible to postpone the date of the conference a week in accordance with your suggestion. But if we are to proceed with the arrangements the President has approved, we must have a ‘yes’ reply without delay. Because of the tight time schedule, will you please telephone to me as soon as you hear from them.
I am putting the problem before you in full because I know you appreciate the wider importance of an affirmative reply from the British Government. We are aware of the difference of opinion in London with respect to a conference at this time. We wonder, however, whether there is full appreciation of the implication that might be drawn by the public from a decision by the British not to agree to a conference after the prolonged preparations and the announcement of agreement by the technical experts. Among a large segment of our people Britain’s failure to agree to a United Nations monetary conference at this time would engender serious doubt whether the United Nations can get together on any definite program of postwar economic collaboration, and will have an unfortunate impact on the favorable movement for international cooperation which has been developing in this country.”
Please inform the Foreign Office of the substance of this message. Please explain to them that I am in complete agreement with Secretary Morgenthau’s message and indicate to them the important effect of the British decision on public opinion in this country.