711.42157Sa29/789

The Minister in Canada (MacNider) to the Secretary of State

No. 537

Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith for the Department’s information and files copy of a note received from the Prime Minister on September 12, 1931, as already explained by me in the course of informal oral conversations with various officers of the Department. This note summarizes, in a general way, the present situation as regards informal conversations looking to the development of the St. Lawrence waterway. As the Department is aware, the Prime Minister consented to write such a note only on the condition that its contents should be considered strictly confidential and that neither the text nor the substance of it should be given out or published without the consent of the Canadian Government.

Respectfully yours,

Hanford MacNider
[Enclosure]

The Canadian Secretary of State for External Affairs (Bennett) to the American Minister (MacNider)

No. 133

Sir: I have the honour to refer to your letter of September 2nd, 1930,2 and my reply thereto, dated September 10th, 1930,3 in the matter of the proposed St. Lawrence Waterway development.

This whole question in its broader aspects has for many months engaged the attention of the Government, and careful consideration has been given the various bases on which negotiations might be continued.

During the month of March, I was privileged to discuss in an informal way, with your President, certain points involved in the general [Page 893] proposal. Since then a detailed study of the project has been undertaken with a view to reaching a formula which would be acceptable to the two Governments.

I have been of the opinion that at least in the initial stages of the negotiations, progress could more definitely be assured by direct and verbal exchange of views between the two Governments than by any other medium, and I am gratified to learn that my opinion, as presented by the Canadian Minister, has received the concurrence of your Government.

The foregoing summarizes, in a general way, the situation of which I have endeavoured, in our many interviews, to keep you informed.

It is my belief that in the near future the Government will be in a position to discuss concrete proposals with your Government for the completion of the St. Lawrence Waterways project. Steps have already been taken to reconstitute the Canadian section of the Joint Board of Engineers.

Accept [etc.]

R. B. Bennett
  1. See instruction No. 1, August 26, 1930, to the Minister in Canada, ibid., p. 532.
  2. Ibid., p. 533.