611.41/1–2051: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom 1
3531. Fol in two sections:
1. Dept appreciates Embs thoughtful analysis current UK attitudes toward US (Emb 4022, Jan 202) and agrees with Embs principal conclusions.
Re final para ref tel however Dept feels nothing significant is being neglected (a) to keep Brit fully informed development our FE [Page 901] policy and (b) to win sympathetic Brit understanding if not acceptance of its bases. To these ends there have been almost daily conversations at policy level with Brit both here and at Lake Success. Also special talks with JCS held during Slessor’s3 visit with Rusk present.
Despite continuing consultation with Brit Dept sees no evidence narrowing fundamental difference of opinion and inclined belief FE developments themselves rather than discussions will be more likely to bring that about. When developments reach such stage, Dept believes talks in Lon wld be more useful than now. At present there wld be great difficulty sparing appropriate personnel for talks in Lon. It is possible, however, that if preliminary CFM talks held Eur, our reps such discussions cld hold FE discussion Lon on the side. In light above Dept wld appreciate Embs continued consideration as to when talks wld be most useful.
2. Reftel considers public as well as official attitudes. While Dept believes policy differences more likely to be resolved by events than consultation, it considers action can be started immed endeavoring to swing Brit public opinion to more sympathetic and understanding attitude. Fol possibilities are suggested: (a) Use of Emb and other US speakers on Fulbright other grants competent speak Lon and grassroots platforms, brain trust discussions, etc., (b) frank on the record discussions with key editors, BBC commentators, both individually and collectively, to give full picture of immense US effort and the good will and good faith behind our desire to work with Britain as honored, experienced partner, (c) leader specialists offer Dept way supply honest US indoctrination to moulders of Brit public opinion. Conferences for Douglas Clark Lon Editor Bristol Evening Post for example arriving Jan 23 will be so planned; also for subsequent persons same category.
Dept instructing public affairs media on policy guidance for output and to supply Emb additional materials to implement above suggestions.
- Drafted by Margaret H. Williams of the Bureau of European Affairs and William L. Hamilton, Jr., of the Office of British Commonwealth and Northern European Affairs.↩
- Document 420.↩
- Air Marshal Sir John Slessor had arrived in the United States on January 14 for talks with the Joint Chiefs of Staff concerning operations in the Far East, use of British airfields by U.S. bombers, and the continuation of informal U.S.–U.K. military talks. Records of the talks on January 15 and 16 on the first two topics are in file 611.41/1–1851. Regarding the informal talks, Slessor talked with Nitze and Jessup on January 17 saying that the British wanted Ambassador Franks and Marshal Tedder to meet with representatives of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Department of State on a more or less regular basis. This request was relayed to General Marshall who thought the idea was a good one, but stressed that the arrangement must be informal and that there should be no commitment to consult prior to reaching decisions. (Memorandum from Acheson to Lovett and memorandum of conversation by Acheson, January 18, and memorandum by Battle, January 23, 611.41/1–1851 and 1–2351)↩