550.S1/729: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Great Britain (Atherton)
92. For Norman Davis. In regard to the tariff truce proposals. In the light of the circumstances and difficulties you are facing, it seems to the Department wise that you recall to the British Government that all that was contemplated for the period between now and the Conference was the promulgation by the Organizing Committee of a strong recommendation that all governments live up to the general purpose and aims of international economic cooperation which the Economic Conference is designed to forward. As to the exact wording of this recommendation, the Department authorizes you to agree to any wording that is feasible and which is not so weak or does not contain so much leeway for special action as to defeat itself. It also leaves to your judgment whether this recommendation should be issued by the Organizing Committee or as a joint statement of the governments represented on the Organizing Committee.
As for the tariff truce proposal which is to be brought forward at the Conference, the exact wording of that will no doubt be discussed at the Conference itself. If it proves possible, the American Government will endeavor to hold conversations with various other governments before the Conference.