747.47H/3: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Australia ( Johnson )
4. Your 232 December 28. We have noted with interest Dr. Evatt’s proposal, after discussions with New Zealand in January, to hold a conference of all powers with territorial interests in the Southwest Pacific. We have very considerable doubts that the time is yet ripe, or that it is likely to be ripe for some time to come, for a conference on this subject. You may use a suitable occasion to indicate our doubts to Dr. Evatt and inquire whether he does not believe that plans for a conference at this time are premature. The war in the Pacific is yet to be won and, in our opinion, it has not yet reached the stage which [Page 169] would warrant the kind of discussions contemplated by Evatt or would make such discussions of greatest usefulness.