561.35E1/15: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul at Geneva (Gilbert)
Washington, January
27, 1934—4 p.m.
9. Your 22, January 25; and 24, January 26.
- 1.
- The Department considers it most desirable that the preliminary conference be composed of government representatives. This, of course, does not preclude any government from designating as representatives persons engaged in the sugar industry.
- 2.
- The Department, as a matter of principle, believes it important that the consumer’s point of view be given ample consideration. Obviously, those nations dependent upon imports are in the best position to present the consumer’s side. However, if the Sugar Council and Great Britain, after consideration of the Department’s point of view, decide that it is preferable to restrict invitation to the preliminary conference, the Department will participate, but only on the clear understanding that the importing nations (and of course the other exporting nations) be invited to the full conference.
The Department desires to reiterate that it cannot enter any international agreement until its domestic policy has been developed, and assumes that its participation on this basis has been accepted.
Hull