Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, The Near East and Africa, Volume VIII

881.00/6–745: Telegram

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

Washington , June 11, 1945—6 p.m.

4686. Your 5742 and 5753 of June 7.²⁷

1. We are requesting Childs to endeavor to arrive in London by June 15 in order to discuss with Embassy and appropriate British authorities Tangier question and, in case talks including France are decided upon, to take part in them. Villard,²⁸ who will head our representation to the London conversations, if France accepts invitation to attend, expects to depart shortly. We suggest, provided you have no objection, that Perry George²⁹ as the representative of the Embassy take part in these talks.

Certain documents are being sent by airmail³⁰ which should assist Embassy in preparing for the conversations.

2. If it is definitely decided that conference, including France, is to be held, we feel that the Soviet Govt should be informed at once of that fact and told that it will be kept advised of progress made. Furthermore, in our opinion, we should inform the Soviet Govt of such steps as may be decided upon before they are actually taken. It is important that the Soviet Govt should not obtain the impression that the Western powers are acting in a unilateral manner with regard to Tangier.

3. Although we agree that it would be helpful for representatives of the British and American Govts to continue to exchange views with regard to the Tangier problem before the more formal talks begin, we nevertheless believe that it is important that this exchange should not take a form which would give the French Govt ground to feel that we are endeavoring to form a common front vis-à-vis France.

4. It should be clearly understood by the French, British, and ourselves that the purpose of the conference in London is to make arrangements for replacing the illegal Spanish occupation of Tangier by a temporary allied occupation pending the holding of a broader conference to decide the future of Tangier.

5. In your discretion please bring our views as expressed above to the attention of the FonOff.

Repeated to Paris as no. 2681, Madrid as no. 989, and to Tangier as no. 122.

Grew

27. Neither printed.
28. Henry S. Villard, Chief of the Division of African Affairs.
29. Counselor of Embassy in the United Kingdom.
30. Transmitted to London in instruction 5600, June 13, 1945, and to Paris and Tangier on the same date in instructions 1032 and 404, respectively (none printed).