Office of the Historian

890.0146/11–846: Telegram

The Ambassador in Australia (Butler) to the Secretary of State

secret
Canberra, November 8, 1946—noon.
[Received, November 8—10:38 a.m.]

264. ReDeptel 231, October 3158 Australian Government’s reasons for refusing to accept our suggested alterations to draft New Guinea trusteeship agreement were outlined in Embtel 235, October 11. Embassy is confidentially informed that Australian delegation to GA is now under instructions to refuse to accept any amendments to draft as submitted.59

Butler

  1. Telegram 231 read: “Australia’s draft trusteeship agreement for New Guinea presented to General Assembly follows original draft and incorporates none of our suggested amendments. … Any information which you can obtain discreetly regarding Australian thinking on this question, particularly reasons for non-acceptance our suggestions and their probable attitude in General Assembly when question debated, would be helpful.” (711.47/10–1546)

    Repeated to New York for the United States Delegation as telegram 277, November 8, 7 p.m. (890.0146/11–846).

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  2. In telegram 266, November 8, the Ambassador in Australia cabled further: “Evatt informed me yesterday he is anxious to clear up all matters pending between U.S. and Australia. He specifically mentioned Manus Island, New Guinea and whaling.” (711.47/11–846)↩