561.311D1/14
The Canadian Chargé (Wrong) to the Secretary of State
Sir: I have the honour to bring to your attention the conference of wheat-exporting nations which will assemble on May 19th, 1931, in London at Canada House under the chairmanship of the High Commissioner for Canada in Great Britain, the Honourable G. Howard Ferguson. The conference has been convened pursuant to the following resolution adopted in Rome on March 31st, 1931, by the Preparatory Conference to the Second World Wheat Conference:
“The Conference, recognizing the importance of the orderly marketing of the export surpluses of wheat and being convinced that the present low price of wheat on the world’s markets is a serious factor in the present economic depression, is of the opinion that it is desirable that the delegates of the countries exporting wheat, namely: The Argentine Republic, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Hungary, India, Poland, The Union of Socialist Soviet Republics, Rumania, and Yugoslavia, should meet together as soon as possible to formulate a plan on an international basis for the exportation of the 1931–32 crop. The above mentioned States will invite the Government of the United States of America to take part in their discussions.”
I understand that the Canadian High Commissioner in London has informally notified the Ambassador of the United States there of the sense of this resolution, and has intimated to him that the Government of Canada hope that the Government of the United States will be able to participate in the Conference.
I have now been instructed, in fulfilment of the intention expressed in the final sentence of the resolution, to convey to you the desire and hope of His Majesty’s Government in Canada that the Government of the United States may see their way clear to take part in the forthcoming conference at London. While it is realized that the interval between the date of the invitation and that of the conference is brief, the Government of Canada trust that the Government of the United States, mindful of the necessity of prompt and thorough exploration of the possibilities of concerted international action in arranging for the orderly marketing of exportable wheat surpluses, will be able to accept this invitation.
I have [etc.]