Editorial Note
In a statement released to the press on May 29, 1947, the Department of State announced that it had been informed that the Soviet Government had agreed to the British proposal for a meeting of the Deputies of the Council of Foreign Ministers in London to consider the disposition of the Italian colonies. The Department’s statement further explained that it was the view of the United States Government that the Deputies should not discuss the actual disposition of the Italian colonies at this preliminary session, but should confine themselves to such procedural matters as the establishment of the Commission [Page 583] of Investigation. For the text of the Department’s statement, see Department of State Bulletin, June 8, 1947, page 1129.
The British Government proposed and the United States and French Governments had agreed that the first meeting of the Deputies for the Former Italian Colonies should be held in London on June 6, 1947. The Secretary of State designated Ambassador Lewis W. Douglas as his Deputy at these meetings and named John E. Utter, Division of African Affairs, and Foreign Service Officer Philip H. Bagby as advisers to the Ambassador in the forthcoming negotiations. On June 2, the Soviet Government informed the British that it was not prepared to participate in meetings of the Deputies until the coming into force of the Peace Treaty with Italy. Despite the Soviet attitude, Utter and Bagby proceeded to London to carry on consultations preparatory to the meetings of the Deputies.