Office of the Historian

340. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Canada1

Washington, March 11, 1958—8:27 p.m.

467. Law of Sea Conference. Chairman US Joint Chiefs of Staff and Chief of Naval Operations have recently urged Canadian high level military to endeavor have Canada continue adhere three mile territorial sea. In order dispel any doubts US is endeavoring have Canada refrain from seeking resolve its fishery problems, should on urgent basis advise External Affairs in confidence that US convinced willingness important Western nations depart from three mile territorial sea would inevitably lead Conference approve extending sovereignty out to at least twelve miles. To avoid losing three mile territorial sea US will be prepared give vigorous support Canadian compromise proposal, that is, limit sovereignty three miles but accord coastal state exclusive fishing rights out to twelve miles, if necessary achieve retention three-mile territorial sea.2

Herter
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 399.731/3–1158. Confidential; Priority; Limit Distribution. Drafted, approved, and initialed for Herter by Pender; cleared by BNA, EUR, L, U/FW, UNP, Navy, and Defense; and repeated to London and Geneva.↩
  2. On March 12, the Embassy in Ottawa reported that it had given the Under Secretary of State for External Affairs a confidential aide-mémoire containing the substance of this telegram. (Telegram 690; ibid., 399.731/3–1158)↩