Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, General; the United Nations, Volume I

862S.00/2–2546

Memorandum by the Secretary of State to the Chief of the Division of African Affairs ( Villard )

[ Washington ,] February 25, 1946.

Mr. Villard: Referring to the attached letter³⁶ to the British Ambassador, unless there is some very strong reason for the assertion of the right set forth in this letter, I believe it unwise to assert such a right.

I think that it would establish a precedent for assertion of similar rights by the Soviet Government and the British Government as to Pacific Islands where we do not intend to agree that they are states directly concerned.

J[ames] F. B[yrnes]

36. See Mr. Hickerson’s memorandum of February 23, supra.