840.00/3–1448
The British Ambassador (Inverchapel) to the Secretary of State
personal
Dear Mr. Secretary: Mr. Bevin welcomes the response in your letter of the 12th March to his proposal for joint discussions on the establishment of an Atlantic security system and hopes that we shall now be able to work out a satisfactory arrangement.
I understand that the Canadian Government have also agreed and that Mr. Bevin is arranging that two officials from London will arrive in Washington next week. I shall receive separate instructions about the detailed arrangements and cover plan for their visit. A little time is needed for further study of the question before the officials leave, but Mr. Bevin tells me that there will be no unnecessary delay.
Mr. Bevin has noted with satisfaction the instructions sent to the United States Representative in Oslo, of which Mr. Hickerson informed us. Similar instructions have been sent to His Majesty’s Ambassador, and Mr. Bevin will himself speak to the Norwegian Foreign Minister in Paris in the same sense. He of course thinks it essential to give the Norwegians the firm impression that we and you mean business and are prepared to see this thing through and not stop short at exhortations. But subject to this, Mr. Bevin is sure that the encouragement and advice already being given to Norway by yourselves and ourselves will have a most valuable effect in holding the Norwegian situation while we work out our plan.
Yours sincerely,