945C.61/11–752: Telegram
The Consul General at Salisbury (Hoover) to the Department of State
52. Although wide publication Cent Afr Financial Times story US Govt much interested Federation caused flurry, reaction died down. Had statement (Deptel 32, Nov 41) been published immed after Times story desirable effect would have been achieved. However, publication now would have undesirable effect.
Politically unsophisticated public would probably interpret it as meaning (1) US not impartial but opposed Fed, (2) impartiality a new policy representing views newly elected US admin.
ConGen proposed hold statement for future use should situation warrant.
Meanwhile ConGen has made US position clear to PriMin, is writing Welensky and chief secs NR and Nyasaland that effect, and has instructed staff lose no opportunity present impartial viewpoint in official and private conversations.