501.BC Atomic/7–1147: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State
us urgent
3810. Supplementing Embtel 3760, July 9. Mr. Bevin informed me this afternoon that the special Cabinet Committee to which reference is made in Embtel 3760 in its meeting this morning came to no final conclusion. A person “steeped in all phases of atomic energy” would be sent to reinforce Cadogan early next week. He was not able today to give me the name of the individual.
The special Cabinet Committee will meet again next Wednesday further to consider our proposals and to decide on instructions for Cadogan.
I again emphasized our view that the British do not put forward a separate proposal on their own and repeated our reasons. Bevin was very sympathetic with them and said that it would be the purpose of Cadogan and his special advisor to attempt to come to an agreement with us on the international control of atomic energy in order that a separate British proposal might be avoided. He further said, however, that there was a prevailing apprehension among the members of the Cabinet Committee and Chiefs of Staff that our plan might have the effect of denying to the UK atomic energy as an adequate source of industrial power. The British would, he said, go as far as possible to meet us but he hoped we would make at least a few concessions to meet them.
I will be advised of the outcome of the special Cabinet Committee meeting to be held next Wednesday.1 Repeat to New York for Osborn.
- July 16.↩