Lot 65A987, Box 101
Minutes of a Meeting of the United States Delegation, Geneva, Switzerland, August 4, 1947
[Here follows discussion of other subjects.]
4. “Wool. Mr. Wilcox reported to the Delegation that by using the most tactful means available, he succeeded in postponing until Saturday morning a meeting for the purpose of discussing wool between Mr. Clayton and Cabinet Ministers of the Southern Dominions. He was forced to take such action, Mr. Wilcox stated, because no word had been received yet from Washington on the burning question whether the President had acted upon the TAC recommendations regarding wool. By Saturday morning word still had not been received. A meeting with Mr. Clayton could be postponed no longer. In the meeting, Mr. Clayton persuaded the Southern Dominions’ Cabinet Ministers to forebear with him a few more days until word from Washington might be received. Mr. Clayton explained that the delay in receiving word since the passage of the Wool Bill was caused solely by the fact that the President had been called to Missouri on account of the death of his mother. Australia agreed immediately. The Union of South Africa first expressed sharp disappointment over the fact that the US still was unable to discuss wool—then agreed to wait a few days longer. It was decided to meet again Wednesday or Thursday of this week, Mr. Wilcox said.
Mr. Wilcox reported that during all the discussions on the subject of postponing action on wool with the representatives of the Southern Dominions while awaiting the outcome of legislation in the US Congress regarding wool, the attitude of these people was above expectation.
About 8 o’clock Saturday evening word was received from Washington to the effect that the President had given Mr. Clayton authority to reduce the duty on wool if he needed it. Attempts to reach Dr. Coombs of the Australian Delegation proved unsuccessful. He had gone to London until Wednesday.
[Here follows a discussion of other subjects.]