Office of the Historian

501.BC/7–847: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State

secret
us urgent
London, July 8, 1947—4 p.m.

3714. We discussed with Gladwyn Jebb1 today Deptel 2842 July 1, re presence armed forces on territories other members UN. British take the strong position that in each case where British troops are stationed on foreign soil they are there with the consent of the nation concerned publicly given. If anyone feels otherwise Jebb says, let that nation complain and Britain will reply. He feels that to exchange notes would be “asking for trouble” and he can “see no point in it”. British are satisfied that presence of our troops in UK territories is in each case with British consent publicly given and they see no need for an exchange of notes.

Douglas
  1. Assistant Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, British Foreign Office; Chairman of the British interdepartmental Committee on Disarmament.↩