740.0011 Pacific War/32
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Adviser on Political Relations (Hornbeck)
Mr. Butler called at his request. He referred to conversations which had been held on the subject of possible British, American and Dutch cooperation in the field of Far Eastern policy with reference especially to the making of tentative “war plans” in relation to certain defense measures. He read to me parts of a telegram in which the [Page 189] Foreign Office stated that they intend to have a conference at Singapore at which they hope to have a Dutch representation and would like to have an American representation. This conference is to begin on October 22 and they would welcome the presence of an American representative about a week later. They hope that the United States will exert some influence with regard to the formulation of the Dutch attitude.
Mr. Butler said that he understood clearly the position which this Government has taken in regard to this matter and that he did not want to press anything upon us. He said that he therefore was merely communicating what his Government had said. He said that he would venture to offer, on his own part, a suggestion, namely, that we might be willing to have our Consul General at Singapore participate in the conference to be held there in the capacity of an “observer”.
I said that I would report upward what Mr. Butler had said.30
- Notation on October 26 by the Secretary of State: “Consul could report without acting as observer. C. H.”↩