Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, National Security Affairs; Foreign Economic Policy, Volume I

S/AE Files, Lot 68 D 358

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Special Assistant to the Secretary of State (Arneson)

top secret

[Washington,] October 17, 1951.

Subject: Proposed U.K. Statements Concerning

1. Use of U.K. Bases

2. U.S.–U.K. Discussions on Use of Atomic Weapons

Participants:	United States
	Mr. Matthews
	Mr. Arneson
	Mr. Chase
	United Kingdom
	Sir Christopher Steel1
	Mr. Marten

Mr. Steel came in to see Mr. Matthews at 5 p. m., Wednesday, October 17, 1951, at the former’s request. Mr. Steel recounted that a U.K. draft statement on the use of U.K. bases which might be used by the Prime Minister or the Foreign Secretary had been shown to Mr. Arneson by Mr. Marten on October 15. He understood that the Department’s reaction was generally favorable and wished to know whether the draft (attached hereto²) could now be considered as agreed. Mr. Steel explained that there was no intention on the part of his Government to volunteer this statement but rather to have it in readiness in the event that: (a) the matter were raised in the election campaign either by the Conservatives or possibly by Bevan;³ (b) a question is put in the House of Commons. Moreover, in the event Churchill was returned to power it was thought desirable that this point be tidied up.⁴

Mr. Matthews stated that the U.K. draft seemed quite satisfactory. He went on that it had been discussed with the Secretary who thought well of it and that the Secretary intended to talk to the President about it during the afternoon. Mr. Matthews said he wanted to await word from the Secretary as to the President’s reaction before he would be in a position to tell Mr. Steel that it was all right.

Note: After the meeting Mr. Matthews ascertained from the Secretary that the draft was approved by the President and called Mr. Steel at approximately 6:45 to this effect.⁵

Mr. Steel stated that he could envisage a situation where either in the course of the campaign or in Commons a direct question might be put as to whether U.K. bases could be used without U.K. consent. His Government felt that if this development occurred it would feel obliged to make the additional point that U.K. bases could not be used by the U.S. without U.K. consent. Mr. Matthews stated that this was quite an understandable position and recognized that if pressed in this specific way the U.K. Government would feel obliged to respond. He urged, however, and Mr. Steel fully concurred, that this additional point would not and should not be made except under direct pressure. Mr. Steel suggested that the statement that should be used in the event of such development would read as follows: “There is naturally no question of their use in an emergency without our consent.”

Mr. Steel reverted to the broader problem which had been discussed by Mr. Morrison with the Secretary on September 11, 1951, and which had also been raised by Sir Oliver Franks in the U.S.–U.K. politico-military meeting on September 13 relating to the question as to what the Prime Minister might say on the matter of U.S.–U.K. consultation on the use of atomic weapons. He recalled that in the September 13 meeting Mr. Matthews had shown Sir Oliver a draft⁶ which the Department had prepared on this matter. He could now say that this draft would be very helpful to his Government and the U.K. was prepared to follow it in the event it became necessary to say anything on this subject either in the election or in Commons. He stressed that if this language could be agreed it would also be helpful in briefing Mr. Churchill should he be returned to power.

Mr. Matthews explained that the Department had done nothing further about the draft statement in view of the fact that Sir Oliver Franks had stated at the September 13 meeting that while the proposed language would appear to be useful, he wanted to think some more about the general subject and come back later to talk about it. Mr. Matthews went on, however, that he would be glad to have the subject reactivated and he would undertake to have it discussed promptly with the Secretary who doubtless would wish to discuss this point with the President as well.

1. Minister, British Embassy.
2. Not printed.
3. Aneurin Bevan, Member of Parliament; former member of the Labour Government.
4. In the General Election of October 25, the Conservative Party was victorious. The following day, its leader, Winston S. Churchill, succeeded Clement R. Attlee as Prime Minister.
5. Note in the source text.
6. Post, p. 894.