Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, United Nations and General International Matters, Volume II

338. Telegram From the Department of State to the Delegation at the Conference on the Law of the Sea¹

Washington, March 6, 1958—6:47 p.m.

838. For USDel Law of Sea. Ref USDel tels 785, 786.² Gravely concerned both by Canadian position and by word British political officers actively selling six mile limit. Requesting through Defense Admiral Burke contact Canadian defense authorities on most urgent basis. Suggest requesting both British and Canadians not to retreat from three mile territorial sea until results Washington contacts London and Ottawa determined. Use utmost discretion reference precise nature of contacts but emphasize they are most urgent and at high level. Since twelve mile territorial sea would have same effect on British fishing as alternate Canadian proposal of three mile territorial sea plus nine mile contiguous zone, cannot understand why Canadians do not initially advocate latter alternative.³

Dulles

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 399.731/3–658. Confidential; Niact; Limit Distribution. Drafted, approved, and initialed for Dulles by Becker and cleared by EUR, IO, UNP, and the Department of Defense.
2. See supra and footnote 3 thereto.
3. On March 8, Dean was advised that as the result of “high level contacts” the British had been instructed to support the U.S. position. (Telegram 850 to Geneva; Department of State, Central Files, 399.731/3–658)