611.4131/333
The President of the British Board of Trade (Stanley) to the Secretary of State58
Dear Secretary of State: My first task as President of the Board of Trade has been to study the preliminary exchanges between our Governments on trade matters; and that study has prompted me to write to you in this informal manner, which I hope you will forgive.
I have, of course, been familiar with your policy, and have known something of the practical effect you have been able to give to it. My reason for writing is to assure you of my personal sympathy with the objects you have proclaimed to the world as the proper aims of statesmanship, and to say that although I have not had the privilege, enjoyed by my predecessor, of personal discussion with you, I hope you will feel able to count on me as a collaborator.
You, I know, have had many difficulties. We too have difficulties to overcome. If progress seems slow, if delays are irritating—as they must be—I would only ask you to remember that these things are inevitable in all democratic countries.
I hope shortly to be able to let you know how much progress we have been able to make with the Dominions. For my part, I am convinced [Page 42] that a full and frank explanation of our position is the most Useful step we can take in the immediate future. In that friendly spirit, we can make progress, and that is why I have ventured to send you on taking office this personal message of good will.
Yours sincerely,
- Transmitted to the Secretary of State by the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs under covering letter of the same date.↩