611.4131/327½
Memorandum by Mr. Constant Southworth of the Division of Trade Agreements
| Conversation: | Mr. Chalkley and Major Heywood of the British Embassy; |
| Mr. Stirling of the British Board of Trade; | |
| Mr. James Clement Dunn,65 Mr. Minter,66 Mr. Deimel,67 Mr. Southworth. |
Mr. Chalkley, Major Heywood and Mr. Stirling came to Mr. Deimel’s office the afternoon of July 8. Mr. Chalkley read out loud a memorandum setting forth in general terms some of the considerations facing the Dominions in formulating their positions relative to the American request for reduction of preferences enjoyed by them in the British market. He elaborated orally on parts of the memorandum. He stated that probably on July 9 or 10 he would send Mr. Deimel a copy of this memorandum in elaborated form. He also indicated that he might send statements setting forth the British position relative to our requests for concessions on individual commodities, as a preliminary to oral discussions which it was agreed will begin next week, or even possibly this week.
Mr. Chalkley and Mr. Stirling inquired as to what order it would be desirable to follow in discussions of the individual commodities, suggesting that it might be psychologically helpful to begin with commodities relative to which a mutual understanding seemed to be the nearest. It was agreed, however, that it will be more satisfactory to discuss the commodities in the order in which they appear in our lists, which follow the order of the British import statistics, except that consideration of rice will be deferred because Mr. Stirling had not yet had an opportunity to ascertain the attitude of India and Burma, whose delegates reached London only as Mr. Stirling was leaving.