870.00/43
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Secretary of State
The British Ambassador68 called at his request. He brought up the question of the difficulties between Russia and Great Britain in the Balkans, especially relating to Rumania. He then inquired how this country would feel about an arrangement between the British and the Russians to the effect that Russia might have a controlling influence in Rumania and Great Britain a controlling influence in [Page 113] Greece. I replied that I would give this serious consideration, but that at first blush, in view of the many counter-charges now arising, and which would certainly arise in the future, about encroachments, first by one Government and then by another on the economic, political, military or other internal affairs of the Balkans and other countries in Europe, it would be a doubtful course to abandon the fixed rules and policies which are in accord with our broad basic declarations of policy, principles and practice. I said that if these are departed from in one or two important instances, as is proposed, then neither of the two countries parties to such act will have any precedent to stand on, or any stable rules by which to be governed and by which to insist that other governments be governed. Therefore, in my opinion, this phase should be carefully studied by all concerned before any definite departures take place. He said he appreciated that phase of it.
- Viscount Halifax.↩