311. Telegram From the Secretary of State to the Department of State1
Dulte 3. Personal for Acting Secretary and Dillon from Secretary. Following tonight’s dinner Selwyn Lloyd rode home with me and said that Macmillan had felt that it might after all be necessary to have a Security Council meeting particularly because of the sterling [Page 586] payment issue. This he felt might require them at least to go through the motions of one further effort to get better Egyptian settlement. I reaffirmed my view that there was great risk that Egyptian attitude might make it more difficult rather than less difficult for British to accept settlement to which they are committed by the inextricable laws of economics. Lloyd instructing Dixon to write tentative letter to Lodge suggesting meeting but probably no final decision until Friday or Saturday.2Lloyd says he would not expect us to take any part in the proceedings. However, I am concerned that this attitude on our part, although taken in agreement with Lloyd, would in fact be portrayed in England as further United States let-down of the British who are abandoned to struggle alone against overwhelming odds. Would appreciate prompt expression Department’s views for guidance in further discussion with Lloyd Friday.