693.0031/7–749: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State
London, July 7,
1949—4 p. m.
[Received July 7—2:49 p. m.]
[Received July 7—2:49 p. m.]
2638. Deptel 2320 re New York Times story re purpose US mission to London. Embassy can supply following information.
- 1.
- Benjamin Welles called at Embassy afternoon July 1 requesting information re position Edwin Martin. He was given biography contained in Department Register. In ensuing conversation Welles disclosed he in possession of information outlined in summary of Times article contained in Deptel under reference. He refused to reveal source of information stating that he had followed lead given by Department statement of June 30 re Martin in London to talk with British re trade with China in view current conditions and had discussed British attitude toward Martin talks with various British Government agencies and foreign diplomatic missions.
- 2.
- Content of Martin conversations are known to several British Government agencies including Foreign Office, Treasury, Board of Trade and Colonial Office but which one gave information to Welles Embassy cannot ascertain. From tone of Times article as summarized in Deptel Embassy suspects Treasury or BoT.
- 3.
- Also on afternoon July 1 Westminster Press phoned Embassy re biography Martin. Connection this organization with matter not known to Embassy.
- 4.
- British press has not published anything on subject and has not even mentioned two US articles referred to in Deptel under reference.
- 5.
- Embassy has no information re source Baltimore Sun article.
- 6.
- Foreign Office has not mentioned leakage of information in question although Embassy officers in daily contact with Foreign Office.
Douglas