811.24 Raw Materials/448: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Kennedy) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 28—10:38 a.m.]
2470. Replying to your 1496 November 24; and referring to my 2310, November 8, 8 p.m. I wish again to call your attention to the following situation: With all due respect to the handling of the rubber-tin situation, I believe that it is absolutely a psychological mistake to proceed the way we are proceeding. This method of practically once a week making suggestions to the Government as to what changes should take place in the production quotas fixed by a “plenipotentiary committee” is to me very bad trading policy.
I went to see MacDonald myself yesterday and he assured me that they were anxious to be of any assistance that they could but that he must point out to me that our methods were the most childish methods he had ever seen in an attempt to influence a change in Government policy and I wish to add that I think this statement is a typical British understatement. I think them worse than childish. If you want to get this thing done and done right, send Viles over here. You are not going to get the results you think you are going to get or that you are entitled to get by this constant exchange of telegrams. It is getting us no place and it is not going to get us any place. Whatever concessions we have got to date have not been the result of this type of negotiation.
[Page 900]I am again writing MacDonald today, as I told him I would, with reference to your last cable, but I urge you to get Viles on a plane and get him over here if you ever expect to get this matter satisfactorily adjusted.