102.1/10798: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
London, May 11, 1944—9
p.m.
[Received May 11—7:47 p.m.]
3851. Personal for Secretary Morgenthau. I am forwarding the following
message for you which has just reached me from Sir John Anderson (you will
have read Embassy’s 3822, May 10, midnight37). I think the dates you set for the Washington
meeting will be acceptable here. I regret that Anderson writes he is unable
to go to the United States personally. I believe that if representation at
the conference can be limited to small contingents, the ban on travel for
security reasons would not seriously interfere with your plans.
Begin Sir John Anderson’s message:
- “1. The debate on the monetary fund took place in House of
Commons yesterday on a motion that the statement of principles
provides
[Page 132]
a suitable
foundation for further international consultation with a view to
improved monetary cooperation after the war.
- 2. Discussion was keen and at some points critical but the
debate had the result that the motion was approved without a
division. In these circumstances if an invitation is issued by
your Government to a further conference on this matter we will
gladly do our best to respond at the earliest date at which
security conditions permit and will arrange for some of the
experts of the European countries who are in London to attend. I
much regret that I see no possibility of attending myself, much
as I should have liked to do so. I particularly regret having to
defer the pleasure of meeting you personally. I doubt whether
the very urgent preoccupations with the war will permit the
attendance of a Minister but you can, of course, count upon it
that our delegation will be suitably led. I ought to repeat
that, so far as our Government is concerned, we are not at this
stage ready that our representatives should be authorized to
commit the Government to acceptance of a scheme.
- 3. I think it is clear that there is still, some work to be
done upon this statement of principles before it takes the shape
of a satisfactory draft international convention. In this
connection you may care to consider whether, in view of the
security conditions, it would not be more satisfactory at this
stage to make the conference a smaller one. For the practical
business of hammering out a detailed text for subsequent
consideration by the Governments concerned this might be a more
satisfactory procedure in the circumstances.
- 4. I regret the inevitable delay in replying to you but, so
far as we are concerned, the time has been by no means wasted,
for we have had the opportunity of a first test of public
opinion in this country.”
