800.6363/2–1844
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Petroleum Adviser (Rayner)
| Participants: | The Acting Secretary96 |
| Lord Halifax | |
| Mr. Michael Wright, First Secretary97 | |
| Mr. Charles Rayner |
Lord Halifax presented his note no. 95, dated February 18,98 in regard to the proposed conversations with the British on petroleum matters of mutual interest. Lord Halifax stated that the British Government was agreeable to issuing a press release in accordance with the text previously agreed upon but subject to two conditions; (1) that the names and positions of the American group not be disclosed, although he was agreeable to naming the Departments which would be represented in the American group; and (2) that it was clearly understood that the reference in the Department’s note of February 11 [10] to “concession rights” referred to future concessions and not to the readjustment of present existing concessions.
Elaborating upon the first point, Lord Halifax stated that it would be impossible for the British Government to send representatives of Ministerial rank to Washington at this time in view of the coming invasion months. He stated that he had been proceeding on the basis that the conversations would be conducted on a technical level and that the naming of an American group of Ministerial rank presented serious difficulties from the British standpoint. The Acting Secretary suggested the possibility of sending one member of the Cabinet and representatives technically qualified who could act under the [Page 99] direction of Lord Halifax. Lord Halifax did not know whether or not such an arrangement would be satisfactory to London.
In regard to the elimination of “concession rights” from the conversations, the Acting Secretary telephoned Secretary Ickes99 and discussed this matter with him. Secretary Ickes stated that he could not commit the President in this connection and suggested that they discuss the matter with the President after the Cabinet meeting that afternoon. The Acting Secretary so informed Lord Halifax and agreed to communicate with him after the Cabinet meeting.
Lord Halifax stated that London had not officially agreed to conduct the conversations in Washington. Mr. Wright confirmed this statement. Mr. Rayner stated that although official approval had not been given to Washington as the meeting place, he had understood from Mr. Wright that informal agreement had been reached on that point. The meeting then adjourned, to be resumed after the Cabinet meeting.