741.61/939½
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Acting Secretary of State
The British Ambassador called to see me this evening at my request.
I informed Lord Halifax—and he had not yet had any word to this effect—of the fact that his Government had already drafted two alternative forms of agreement between the Soviet Union and Great Britain. I stated that from the information received from Ambassador Winant, Mr. Eden had indicated that the proposed agreement with the Soviet Union, whatever form it might take, would contain merely two provisions, first, mutual assistance, and, second, no separate peace. Lord Halifax inquired whether this Government had any objection to the conclusion of an agreement between Great Britain and the Soviet Union. I replied that if this Government were correctly informed and the proposed agreement between Great Britain and the Soviet Union contained nothing further than the two provisions I had mentioned, I could see nothing to which this Government had any reason to object. I stated, however, that I felt it would be desirable for Lord Halifax to be authorized to assure me specifically that no secret provisions beyond those I had mentioned were being included in the agreement negotiated, unless this Government were given an opportunity of previously knowing of it.