800.85/896
The British Ambassador (Halifax) to the
Under Secretary of State (Stettinius)
Ref: 1374/58/44
No. 357
Washington, 15 June,
1944.
My Dear Ed: You will remember that Ronald
Campbell17 was in touch with you last month
about Mr. Weston’s visit here to discuss shipping arrangements during the
period immediately following the liberation of Europe.
As you will know the understanding reached between our two Governments on
this subject was recorded in two documents, one a “Memorandum of Principles”
and the other a supplement thereto, which were initialled by Admiral Land
and Mr. Weston; the initialled texts are, I understand, in the hands of the
State Department. I am informed that Admiral Land and Mr. Weston agreed that
the next step was to secure urgently the concurrence of the other maritime
allies in the Anglo-American proposals and that Anglo-American discussions
with them in London should be arranged as soon as possible. I have now been
instructed to put to you our proposals to that end and they form enclosure 1
to this letter.
I also am sending as Enclosure 2 the draft text of a communication which the
Foreign Office would propose to make to the French Committee of National
Liberation and to the Governments to be invited to be present at the next
round of discussions. I should be most grateful if you would let me know as
soon as possible whether you concur in the course proposed above, and if so,
whether you have any comments on the draft communications.
Yrs. Ever
[Enclosure 1]
Proposals Regarding Participation of Other Governments
in the Discussions
As to other governments to be invited to participate in this further
round of discussions, His Majesty’s Government’s view is that
invitations can properly be confined to those other governments who have
effectively contributed ships to the existing United Nations shipping
pool and with whom there are accordingly established contacts on a
regular basis concerning control of the employment of ships. On this
basis they suggest invitations to Norway, Holland, Greece, Belgium,
Poland and France. In view of the important shipping contribution that
Canada can make, it is suggested that Canada should be invited to join
the discussions.
[Page 650]
The object of the discussions would be to secure general acceptance by
all the governments of these countries and the French Committee of
National Liberation of the obligations defined in memorandum of
principles which was agreed as a result of Mr. Weston’s negotiations in
Washington and also upon the form of the central authority.
Anglo-American views on the form of control of machinery would be
submitted in an appropriate manner during the discussions. Agreement
among the governments taking part in discussions could then be recorded
in suitable form so that obligations would be binding upon them and new
machinery prepared so that it can come into operation when required.
Other United Nations governments could be kept informed of arrangements
and at a later stage other governments, including neutrals, could accede
as necessary.
In order to bring about the discussions proposed in paragraph 2, His
Majesty’s Government’s suggestion is that they and the United States
Government should now inform the other governments mentioned in
paragraph 2 and the French Committee of National Liberation of their
view that arrangements are necessary for a continuation of co-ordinated
shipping control after the termination of hostilities in Europe and that
we should invite them to be represented at an early discussion of the
matter in London.
The “memorandum of principles” agreed in Washington would be submitted as
representing the views of United States and United Kingdom governments
as to the manner of achieving continuance of coordinated control.
His Majesty’s Government envisage that discussions will take place
primarily between shipping ministers of the governments concerned and
their senior officials.
His Majesty’s Government suggest that communications to other governments
and the French Committee of National Liberation and invitations to
discussions should be submitted before the end of next week, so that the
discussions can start not later than June 26th. They hope that this time
table will be convenient to the United States Government.
His Majesty’s Government suggest that they should inform the Soviet
Government of project of the discussions and give them a copy of
“Memorandum of Principles”.
[Enclosure 2]
Draft Text of Invitation to Other Governments
The Government of the United Kingdom have had under consideration with
the United States Government the situation that will arise in regard to
merchant shipping with the termination of hostilities in Europe.
Thereafter the tasks to be carried out by United Nations
[Page 651]
merchant ships will remain large. For
instance requirements for ships for hostilities in the Far East will be
heavy. Ships will be required for the supply and movement of occupying
forces in all parts of the world, for the supply of forces awaiting
demobilization and ultimately for their demobilization. For civil needs,
ships will be required for supply of liberated areas in Europe, for
Soviet Russia and, as the war in the Far East proceeds, in the East, as
well as for supply of all United Nations.
The Governments of the United Kingdom and United States feel confident
that your Government will agree that provision of shipping for all such
purposes should be accepted as a common responsibility by the United
Nations, that control of ships18 and that measures by the Governments
will remain necessary after the expiry of existing chartering
arrangements to ensure that merchant ships continue to be used to
discharge the tasks of United Nations,
In order to agree upon measures to meet this need the United Kingdom and
United States Governments propose that there should be early discussions
among the Governments of United Nations who have effectively contributed
ships to existing United Nations shipping pool and with whom there are
accordingly contracts on a regular basis concerning control of
employment of ships. The Government of the United Kingdom will be glad
if your Government will arrange to be represented at such a discussion
to commence in London on (date to be inserted). As matter primarily
concerns the adjustment of existing arrangements between shipping
authorities in regard to control of ships the Government of the United
Kingdom suggest that discussions should mainly be carried out between
shipping representatives of the Governments concerned. Lord Leathers
will represent the United Kingdom in the discussion.
The enclosed memorandum representing the views of United Kingdom and
United States Governments is submitted to furnish basis of
discussions.
The Governments of (insert names of other Governments being invited) are
also being invited to take part in these discussions.
