840.70/11–1344: Telegram
The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Gallman) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 13—9:40 a.m.]
9884. ReEmbs 9807, November 10, 9 p.m. The Embassy has received a written communication from Ronald recapitulating what [Page 865] we were told orally Friday evening85 with regard to the British desire for an early indication of the Department’s attitude toward the Soviet note regarding Polish representation at the EITO Conference.
Ronald points out that pending a reply from the State Department to the Foreign Office’s telegram of November 1, in which it gave the text of its proposed replies to the Russians, the British and American [De]legations have worked out a redraft of the projected agreement attempting to reconcile as far as possible the draft put in by the Soviet Delegation with those put in by other delegations. He states that consideration is now being given to showing this redraft to the French Delegation as the sponsors of the point [joint?] draft put in by the Continental Allies covering their desiderata. Ronald states that, “meanwhile an awkward situation is developing here as a result of the failure of the United States Government to let us know their views on the proper answer to the Soviet note of October 28”. He states that until the reply of the United States Government has been received it is impossible for the two Delegations in London to make definite suggestions as to the procedure to be followed after the contemplated consultation with the French Delegation.
This morning Ronald informed us by telephone that in his opinion the British Government can delay no longer in giving a written reply to the Russian Ambassador. He intends to recommend to the Foreign Secretary that such a reply be given Gousev unilaterally in which the oral statements made by Eden, as outlined in the Embassy’s 9807, will be confirmed. We have informed Ronald that if such unilateral action is taken it will place us in a very embarrassing position.
- November 10.↩