701.48a11/19

The British Ambassador (Howard) to the Secretary of State

No. 424

Sir: At the instance of His Majesty’s Government in the Union of South Africa and under instructions from His Majesty’s Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, I have the honour to inform you that His Majesty’s Government in the Union of South Africa have come to the conclusion that it is desirable that the handling of matters at Washington relating to the Union of South Africa should be confided to an Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary accredited to the United States Government.

Such a Minister would be accredited by His Majesty The King to the President of the United States of America and he would be furnished with credentials which would enable him to take charge of all affairs relating to the Union of South Africa. He would be the ordinary channel of communication with the United States Government on these matters. The arrangements proposed would not denote any departure from the principle of the diplomatic unity of the Empire, that is to say, the principle of consultative co-operation amongst all His Majesty’s representatives as amongst His Majesty’s Governments themselves, in matters of common concern. The methods of dealing with matters which may arise concerning more than one of His Majesty’s Governments would therefore be settled by consultation between the representatives of His Majesty’s Governments concerned.

In proposing the establishment of a Union Legation, His Majesty’s Government in the Union of South Africa trust that it will promote the maintenance and development of cordial relations, not only between The United States of America and the Union but also between the United States of America and the whole British Commonwealth of Nations.

I have [etc.]

Esme Howard