840.811/7–2848: Telegram.
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Yugoslavia
429. Dudel 6. Deldu 8 July 28 [27]. Re Austria’s proposed position on Danube Conference Dept comments as follows: (1) Logical that Austrians should base case on 1921 Convention, however if 1921 Convention [Page 634] accepted as basis for negotiation whole question of interest of other signatory powers not invited to Conference is raised. (2) Austria’s efforts to strengthen position on river commission appear to be limited to following alternatives (a) advocacy of unanimity principle in voting procedure. As you-know U.S. prefers majority principle, (b) Three-quarters or two-thirds majority principle on voting procedure. Either percentage acceptable. Seems relatively ineffective however in view of possibility that Soviets may offset by adding alleged riparian or Black Sea powers, (c) Advocacy of multiple vote for certain designated nations. Dept notes that U.S. concurred in decision to eliminate multiple voting on Rhine Commission at London Conference in 1945. This was not an important issue but point was that Germany should not be entitled to prewar preferential treatment in postwar regime. Multiple vote would give Soviets opportunity for advocating same principle for favored satellites.
U.S. generally following role of one nation-one vote in international conferences.
Dept interested in obtaining adequate position for Austria leaving details to be developed at Conference. (3) On protection Austrian power plants Padelford1 comments that highly desirable Commission have right to make surveys of river works. Power plants considered part of river works. If Western Powers hope to survey low river works will have to submit surveys on upper river works. On other hand there appears to be more at stake in upper river so practical protections on this probably outweigh advantage of theoretical reciprocity.
- Norman J. Padelford, Professor of International Relations, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, and a consultant to the Department of State in connection with the Danube conference.↩