740.00119 Council/9–346: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Caffery)
secret
Washington, September 3,
1946.
4567. Secdel 812. For Cohen from Hiss.
- 1.
- Middleton of British Embassy told us today that he had been asked to take up “with highest possible authorities” the difficulty in which the British find themselves vis-à-vis Parliament with respect to Tanganyika trusteeship agreement. Creech Jones insists that as the initial British draft was submitted to Parliament the revised draft agreed at the technical level when Gerig was in London cannot be submitted to the United Nations without having first been tabled in Parliament. As Parliament is not now in session any submission of the revised draft would entail delay in establishment of trusteeship system in which British say they have been leading exponent of speed. British Embassy was directed to ask us what amendments we considered absolutely essential and to ask us whether we considered in the present state of international relations amendments so essential as to warrant delaying establishment of trusteeship system. Embassy was also informed that amendments proposed by Assembly could only be accepted ad referendum.
- 2.
- We suggested Parliamentary situation would be met by French revised draft for Cameroons and Togoland being submitted first. French revised draft almost identical to British revised draft. British Assembly Delegation could agree to this as they have suggested no difficulty in substance with our proposals. British revised draft could [Page 621] be submitted to Parliament when it reconvenes. Middleton believes reconvening date is end of September.
- 3.
- We pointed out British original draft would invite numerous amendments which would cause confusion and make ultimate form of agreement uncertain. We indicated our own view that we would have to favor substantial amendments. British would be in embarrassing position if they oppose amendments they really agree to in substance but would be equally embarrassed in Parliament if they accepted amendments ad referendum and submitted greatly modified agreement for Parliamentary approval. We also said information conveyed by Middleton came as great surprise. Middleton gratefully accepted suggested procedure which he will refer to Foreign Office and said that until Foreign Office reaction received Embassy would not need to take matter up with higher authorities.
- 4.
- In view of fact that our suggestion involves British ceding of leadership to French and of possibility French may be unwilling to propose revised draft it is doubtful our suggestion will be acceptable to the Foreign Office. If not, we feel important we retain free hand to propose in Assembly bulk of amendments agreed to in Gerig’s London’s talks. We feel original British draft would be unfortunate precedent as first trusteeship agreement. Will of course submit matter to Secretary for decision if British do not accept our suggestion.
- [Hiss]
- Clayton