852.00/5479
Memorandum by the Secretary of State
During the call of the British Ambassador, I referred to his unofficial statement on May 15th, in which his government suggested the desirability of a public statement by the President in favor of a cessation of bombing, with special reference to the Spanish situation. I said that the President would be disposed to make such statement either during or following the proposed action of the London Non-Intervention Committee on this subject. I added that we would be glad to have any information about the meeting and action of the Non-Intervention Committee, with a view to determining whether a statement by the President could and should be made during or following the action of the Non-intervention Committee; that probably it would develop that it would be more feasible to follow the former. I concluded by saying that I was not making a copper-riveted pledge for the President but was expressing the entire disposition of both the President and myself with respect to this matter, in the light of the situation to date.