Evening star., 1946-05-26
British Ask Why U. 5.
Apparently Differs
On Pledges Of Food
BY the Assoeiofsd Press

LONDON, May 25.-Britain to-
night sought an explanation from
Washington of the published view
of State Department official that
Herbert Morrison erred in his re-
port to the House Of Commons on
new American food commitments.
A furry in official circles here
over the Interpretation placed in
washington on Mr.. MorriSon's re-
port indicated the United States
and Britain might be at variance
over the distribution of food sup
plies to needy countries. Surprise
and resentment were expressed here,
Embassy Makes Inquiry.
The British Embassy in WASH
ington was instructed to discuss
with the State Department what
the British feel is misunderstand-
ing over Mr.. Morrison's report. Mr..
Morrison is lord president of the
council and majority leader of the
House of Commons.
British Embassy officials in
Washington said today repre-
sentations were made to the
State Department on the mat
ter. They said Roger Maxim,
economic minister of the EN-
bassy, phoned State Depart
ment officials, but his conversa-
tions were not an official pro-
test but more in the form of an
inquiry" No reply was expect
ed until early next week.
(The Attaches said Mr.. Makin's
action was intended to express
concern that the Embassy was
not consulted on precisely what
| Mr. Morrison said before any
public statement was issued)
Mr.. Morrison, reporting Thursday
to the House of Commons on results
of his conference with food officials
in Washington, said:
The United States Government
have now felt able to associate
themselves unreservedly with the
task of supplying India and the
British zone of Germany to the full
extent that available resources allow,
and they have instructed their off,
cials on the combined food board
accordingly"
Ration Agreement Claimed.
Mr.. Morrison said the United
States agreed to keep rations in the
British zone in Germany up to the
same standard as in the United
States zone and that the United
States guaranteed exports to India
at "a very much higher rate than in
any previous year"
Commenting on this yesterday,
) Michael McDermott, special assis-
tant to Secretary of State Byrnes,
asserted that "the United States has
made no commitment to keep rations
in the British zone up to the level
of those in the United States zone"
In India, likewise, he added, I'VE
have made no commitments. Well
do the best we can"
(The British Embassy attaches
In Washington said Mr.. Morrison
did not say at any time that the
American Government had made
al oCtOdl COIllIIlUIQSnI, OQG ne
merely had mentioned steps
agreed on and announced in the
communique issued in Washing
ton. They said Mr.. Makin's tele-
phone conversation with the
State Department was not in
tended to question the accuracy
OF Mr.. McDermott's statement,
> but added that if the embassy
> had been consulted first the
statement would not have been
issued.o
+ Subject of Long Discussion.
Mr.. McDermott's statements were
+ the subject of a long discussion at
a Foreign Office news conference.
:, Mr.. Morrison will make another
; statement to the House early next
week in reply to Mr.. McDermott.
Much of the furore here was
caused by the fact that Mr.. McDer-
mott aired his views publicly. The
official British view is that the mat
ter should have been pursued
Through normal diplomatir channels