Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, European Advisory Commission, Austria, Germany, Volume III

740.00119 EW/5–1645: Telegram

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

London, May 16, 1945—4 p.m.
[Received May 16—1:50 p.m.]

4867. ReDepts 3758, May 12, 6 p.m.⁹⁷

1 Hall-Patch informs Penrose that the head of the United Kingdom delegation to the Reparation Committee in Moscow has not yet been appointed and that no date has yet been fixed for the departure of the delegation.

2 We understand confidentially that United Kingdom officials have pressed for the appointment of the head of the delegation but the Prime Minister⁹⁸ will not move in the matter until Eden returns. Preoccupation with the election matters appears to be retarding this appointment since Ministers from whom the head would be selected may have to engage shortly in election campaigns. Hall-Patch will urgently press the matter on Ministers again and particularly on Eden when he returns.

3 Hall-Patch seemed somewhat surprised at the inquiry on the date of departure of the United Kingdom group. Following Penrose’s conversation with him on April 30 (see Embassy’s 4389, April 30, 8 p.m.) he obtained ministerial agreement that the United Kingdom will follow the same policy as the United States and put off the date of departure of the United Kingdom Delegation until the difference of view with the Soviet on the composition of the Reparation Commission has been resolved (see last paragraph of Department’s 3347, April 28, 7 p.m.⁹⁹) Hall-Patch added that as far as he was aware there had been no indication of a change in the Soviet attitude.

4 As regards the proposed departure of Pauley, Lubin and a part of their staff from Washington on May 20 Hall-Patch said that some preliminary interchange of views between them and the United Kingdom group would be welcomed here, provided it could be done confidentially so as not to arouse Soviet suspicions. However, until the head of the United Kingdom group has been appointed, such interchanges would have to be carried on among officials only.

5 Hall-Patch emphasized that unless the proposed departure of Pauley, Lubin and their group from the United States can be carried out secretly, the chances are that the Soviet will put pressure at once on the United Kingdom Government to send its delegation to Moscow. The Soviet may also feel in such circumstances that it has a tactical advantage in the dispute over the composition of the Reparation Commission if the main part of the United States delegation is already on the way to Moscow. He asked what plans were being made regarding publicity or secrecy and whether it was practicable in any case to withhold knowledge of the departure of Pauley, Lubin and their party. It is clear that he feels considerable concern on this point.

6 We would appreciate a reply as soon as possible on the points raised in the immediately preceding paragraph.

Winant

97. Not printed; this telegram had stated that Mr. Pauley and some of the Reparations delegation were planning to leave on May 20 for London en route to Moscow. It also requested any information available as to who would head the British delegation. (740.00119 EW/5–1245)
98. Winston S. Churchill.
99. See footnote 65, p. 1201.