Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, The British Commonwealth, Western and Central Europe, Volume V

851.51/3–346: Telegram

The Ambassador in France (Caffery) to the Secretary of State

secret
us urgent

Paris, March 3, 1946—noon.
[Received March 3—10:55 a.m.]

1031. Léon Blum (whose condition is somewhat improved although he is still running a fever) sent me a message last evening that he regretted exceedingly that the departure of the French delegation had been delayed (my 1029, March 2³⁴). He said that in as much as no planes will be able to take off from the Paris airfields because of the heavy snow until at the earliest Monday evening, the delegation would arrive in Washington too late to have conferences with Secretary Vinson and Assistant Secretary Clayton before their departure for Savannah. Under these circumstances the decision had been made to postpone the delegation’s departure until the conclusion of the Savannah Conference.

Blum asked me to convey to Secretary Byrnes, Secretary Vinson, and Assistant Secretary Clayton his deep regret that his illness and bad weather had necessitated a change in plans. He asked particularly that his apologies be conveyed for any inconvenience that may have been caused to the Secretary, Secretary Vinson, and Assistant Secretary Clayton.

Caffery

34. Not printed. Later the Department was informed in telegram 1177, March 11, from Paris, that Mr. Blum would leave Paris for Washington on March 14 (851.51/3–1146).