740.00112A EW/6–245: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom ( Winant )
4384. For Peterson. Re your telephone call and our 4372 June 139 Dept does not understand urgency of Black List Com meeting and requests you employ every persuasive device to postpone it for one week. Baker will not depart until US policy on certain categories of objections raised in connection with Class A has been definitely settled and possibly also Class B and hardcore. Baker then probably will be in position to speak authoritatively on most issues and so expedite completion of program. We again state our belief that we have observed agreement. We will not be stampeded by Brit into acceptance of their overly liberal interpretation of agreement which is construed strictly here because never regarded as based on sound arguments and accepted with misgivings and reluctance. As stated in our 4221 May 28 Dept is constrained to maintain P[roclaimed] L[ist] in justifiable form. Effect of divergence from S[tatutory] L[ist] has been carefully considered and we are prepared to accept consequences.
Baker should arrive midweek. Meanwhile we are still of opinion it would be desirable for Rubin40 go to London to discuss policy with you even though mechanical details require Baker’s presence.
Repeated to Paris as 2482 for Rubin.