700.022/11–1450
The Assistant Legal Adviser for European Affairs (Yingling) to Mr. Edwin D. Dickinson
My Dear Mr. Dickinson: Mr. Tebbit of the British Embassy called on Friday to inform us that the Embassy had just received a telegram from the Foreign Office stating that Sir Eric Beckett was ill and would not be able to come to Washington for the talks on territorial waters scheduled for December. Mr. Tebbit stated that the Embassy expected to be informed in a few days of proposals from the Foreign Office of a new date for the conversations.
It is obvious now that the conversations cannot be held until after the new year at the earliest, but I shall advise you immediately upon the receipt of any further information.
Sincerely yours,