Office of the Historian

560.AL/4–1446

Memorandum of Transatlantic Telephone Conversation, by the Director of the Office of International Trade Policy (Wilcox)

[Washington,] April 14, 1946—11 a. m.
Participants: Harry C. Hawkins, American Embassy, London
Clair Wilcox, ITP

Harry Hawkins reported that American correspondents in London said that the President and the Secretary of State had decided to postpone tariff announcements and negotiations until after the election. Herbert Morrison was planning to make a statement in Parliament Monday, April 15,62 leaving all dates indefinite. Hawkins said it would be embarrassing to the British Government if a decision had been made and announced in Washington and they were not informed.

I assured Mr. Hawkins that no decision would be made until Monday, April 15, and that we would cable him the results on Tuesday, April 16.

Hawkins urged that no statement be made here until the British are informed so that the release in both countries can be simultaneous.

  1. Parliamentary Debates, House of Commons, 5th Series, vol. 421, col. 2330.↩