740.00119 EW/6–646: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Harriman) to the Secretary of State
u.s. urgent
[Received June 6—3:17 p.m.]
5782. Personal for the Secretary. Bevin asked me to call this afternoon to give me verbally a personal message to you. He hopes that you do not feel he is lacking in support of your German policy by his failure so far to announce the withholding of future shipments of reparations to Russia from the British zone. He has given serious consideration to doing so but has come to the conclusion that it would be wiser for him to wait for the time being. Firstly, he feels announcement would give additional color to the accusation of Anglo-American gang-up; secondly, he is not anxious to bring the matter up for full Cabinet discussion at this time until the whole German situation can be laid before the Cabinet; thirdly, he believes it would be more useful [Page 566] if he would state his position if or when advisable during the forthcoming Paris Conference.
He wants you to know that he is in full support of your position on Germany and hopes that you will understand his reasons for withholding public announcement at this time. Incidentally, as I understand it, the British are in fact not making any deliveries to the Russians except those coming under the agreement for advance deliveries which we too are continuing to ship.