Office of the Historian

790.5/10–752: Telegram

The Ambassador in Australia (Jarman) to the Department of State

top secret
Canberra, October 7, 1952—4 p.m.

131. Re UK rep ANZUS mtgs. Embtel 130 Oct 6.1 Emb rep delivered shorter msg Secy to Casey (Deptel 69)2 and orally expressed Secy’s appreciation for Casey msg to Eden. Casey said had just recd acknowledgment from Eden saying reply wld be Churchill to Menzies. Is consequently anticipated reply which expected soon will be unfavorable. Casey said wld like tell Eden when next together he feels Brit deliberately trying to kill ANZUS then added “if I’m able I’m bloody well not going to let them do it”.

Since Oct 1 press language this subj less harsh and volume decreased (see Desp 183, Sept 24)3 but have been several parl questions and govt and official concern undiminished, perhaps even increased. Watt points out will be questions Brit parl on resumption sittings which cld well revive press attn there and here even without artificial stimulation (both he and Casey convinced press arts inspired). He notes also Brit argument reinforced by discussion mil reps mtg SEA def without cognizance five-power talks same subj (he asks self wld it be well mil reps have polit advisers). Austral had hoped centralization SEA discussion in successful five-power talks might be at least partial answer UK ANZUS approach.

Get clear impression from Watt he and Casey think NZ position less firm under Brit pressure than their own4 and have reason believe [Page 229] Casey has very probably tried dissuade Webb from speaking to Secy in NY on UK status before Casey’s arrival.5

Jarman

  1. This telegram reads as follows:

    “Second and shorter version Secretary’s msg being conveyed Casey on his return Canberra seventh. This choice because British unaware we saw msg to Eden and not desirable External Affairs records reveal we did. Secretary’s appreciation Eden msg will be conveyed orally.” (790.5/10–652)

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  2. Supra.↩
  3. Not printed.↩

  4. On Oct. 14, the Embassy in Canberra reported:

    “Conversations Watt and Brown indicate Australians now satisfied firmness New Zealand position though week ago they ‘were anxious’ that score.” (Telegram 140; 790.5/10–1452)

    Reference is perhaps to A. S. Brown, (permanent) Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Department.

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  5. On Oct. 13, Secretary Acheson met with Minister Casey in New York, where both men were attending the Seventh Session of the UNGA (convened Oct. 14). Acheson’s memorandum of the conversation is printed infra.↩