740.00112 European War 1939/10926: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 2—8:42 p.m.]
3532. 1. As reported in my 3363, May 26 (874 to London)49 London’s counterproposal to Swiss proposal of March 23 was delivered [Page 727] here to Swiss on May 25, (Department’s 1838 May 27 and 1875, May 31) it was impossible to deliver this counterproposal until that date owing to necessity of obtaining from London the terms of Swiss proposal of March 23. We are reliably informed that Swiss are busy studying our counterproposal and so far we have received no indications that their reply would be a flat negative.
2. It was deemed desirable to withhold action on your 1838 pending consultation with my British colleague who has only today received similar instructions.
3. In view of situation mentioned in paragraph 1 above we are inclined to think that it would be preferable to await further information as to Swiss reaction to our counterproposal and that any expression of hope that they could improve their proposal might be misinterpreted at this juncture.
4. I consulted with my British colleague with regard to contents of your 1875. He has just received MEW’s Arfar 1937 merely repeating to him Washington’s 1095 May 30.50
5. Under the circumstances we propose to take the first suitable occasion to express informally to M. Pilet-Golaz51 the hope that a reply to our counterproposal may soon be forthcoming and stressing the importance which our Governments attach to a mutually satisfactory outcome of London negotiations and the deep interest we have in reduction of Swiss contribution to war effort of enemy.
Repeated to London as my 919.