Dominions Office telegrams 664 and 665. [1]

The fact that a decision should have been taken by the United
Kingdom Government approving the text of a draft Declaration in
favour of Austrian independence and that this Declaration should
have been communicated to the United States of America and
U.S.S.R. without any further consultation or communication with
the Dominions appears to me, having regard to your telegram to the
Dominions Office 201 of 4th August [2] and Smuts' telegram
(repeated to you 89 [3]), to constitute strong evidence of the
contention contained in the latter part of paragraph 6 of your
telegram to the Dominions Office 244. [4]

While it may well be that we would after further consultation have
indicated our agreement, I have protested strongly against the way
this matter has been handled, even describing it as 'insulting' to
the Dominions. You may feel it desirable to register your protest
to the United Kingdom Government although, no doubt, it would be
couched in more restrained and diplomatic language than I have
employed.

BRUCE