701.6266A/8–344: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom ( Winant ) to the Secretary of State

6181. ReDeptel 5917, July 28, 3 p.m. Foreign Office has expressed satisfaction that Department perceives no objection to British proposal that 27 British officials still held by Germany be exchanged for seven German officials from Holy See.

With respect to coordinating British and U.S. replies to Germany, F.O. inquires whether Department has any objection to its replying to Germany in following sense:

“The British Government is prepared to repatriate from Sicily via Lisbon or a Spanish port, depending on availability of shipping, the German officials in question. The British, however, must insist that there shall be repatriated at the same time the 27 British officials at Bad Neuenahr, so that the exchange of these British officials and [Page 1328] the German group shall be carried out at the same port under the auspices of Portuguese or Spanish Government depending on the port of exchange.”

F.O. inquires as to Department’s attitude towards the Vatican representative’s accompanying the Germans. F.O. prefers that he be not allowed to accompany them as such procedure would be contrary to usual practice of British but in this instance F.O. would not insist on its usual practice. F.O. would appreciate receiving Department’s views as soon as possible in order that it may reply to German request.

Please instruct the Embassy by telegram.

Winant