A reply has come this morning from the Swiss to the question which, on your instructions, I raised with Mr. Net⁷ some weeks ago.

2. Mr. Nef came to report that he has received a very long letter from his "Foreign Minister" (it was five pages long, single space) instructing him to express the Swiss Government's appreciation of the compliment which Canada has offered by requesting Switzerland to receive a Canadian Ambassador, and to say that Switzerland felt greatly flattered.

3. Mr. Nef said that the Canadian proposal was considered with great care by the whole Swiss Government, not merely by the Foreign Minister, and that, though the Swiss would like to accept the Canadian suggestion, they feel that the present time is not auspicious because of the difficult consequences which would confront them almost immediately by requests from the United States, Great Britain, and particularly from "iron curtain" countries; the latter would want to take the same action as Canada and, in addition, would insist on reciprocal appointment of Swiss Ambassadors in their countries. This development would make it necessary for the whole question to go to the Swiss Parliament and probably to a referendum, and the Swiss Government fears that neither Parliament nor the people would consent. The Swiss Government has decided therefore to continue their present arrangements rather than to risk disturbance of their relations with other countries which refusal by their Parliament of reciprocity would create.

4. I mentioned the representation at Berne at embassy rank of the Vatican and France. Mr. Nef explained that the Vatican representation dates from 1560 and that of France from 1874 but Switzerland does not reciprocate; in Paris there is a Swiss Minister and Switzerland has no representation at the Vatican.

5. The Swiss Minister said he assumed that his Government's reply would result in an early determination of Canada's selection of a head of mission in Berne. He said that they would be glad to receive a head of mission who, like Mr. Wilgress, would have the personal rank of Ambassador but he would, of course, have to be accredited as Minister.'

W.H. MEASURES

⁷ Le ministre Victor Nef de la légation de Suisse. Dr. Victor Nef, Minister, Legation of Switzerland.

⁸ a Le 24 avril 1950, Victor Doré a été nommé ministre avec rang d'ambassadeur. On April 24, 1950, Victor Doré, was appointed Minister with the personal rank of Ambassador.