500.A15 a 1/331: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chairman of the American Delegation (Gibson)
20. Your No. 35, June 27, 8 p.m. At present there is neither a British Ambassador nor Chargé in Washington. Entire force has moved to the North Shore, leaving only a third secretary at the Embassy who knows nothing about the matter under discussion. There is no use in trying to do any business through Embassy here, as I have informed Sterling who undoubtedly communicated the information to British Government. American Embassy in London has also been furnished with copies of your telegram No. 27, June 23, 9 p.m., and of our No. 11, June 24, 8 p.m., to you. With the latter we included the following instruction:
[Here follows the final paragraph of the Department’s telegram No. 138, June 25, 1 p.m., printed on page 56.]
We have not yet heard from Sterling in reply. I shall communicate further with him along lines of your No. 35.
I should prefer not to leave Washington if there is any possibility that my absence would delay or embarrass proceedings at Geneva.
Please advise in this respect.