611.5131/919: Telegram
The Chargé in France (Marriner) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 30—9:25 a.m.]
681. Reference Department’s telegraphic instruction 420, November 28, 4 p.m. As a result of several conferences with the Foreign Office the Embassy has been orally assured that no change has taken place regarding the decision to issue the copper reclassification decree but that action has been retarded at the Ministry of Finance due to “technical considerations”. I am making every effort to expedite matters so as to be able to telegraph the Department by Friday that arrangements have been made for simultaneous publication on the following Thursday, December 8th.
While I still hope to be successful in the above indicated endeavor the Embassy would not be surprised at further delays since it is evident that although the commercial treaty is not related to the copper matter there is a disposition to delay all negotiations for a general settlement of all economic problems at the same time.