500.A15a4/67: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain ( Dawes )
52. Your 48, February 20, 1 p.m., quoted Mr. Henderson’s desire to know whether he might expect any suggestions from the American Government as to the means of giving effect to its idea for direct consultation between the principal Powers. He stated that he would be grateful for any indication of American views on procedure. It seems to me that it is self-evident that the following problems at least would require such direct consultation before a disarmament conference could meet with any prospect of success.
- 1.
- Franco-Italian naval problem.
- 2.
- Franco-German armament question.
- 3.
- The armament situation of the countries bordering on Russia and
the possibility of an agreement among them of the levels which they
might maintain.
- a.
- In case Russia should not become a party to ultimate convention.
- b.
- In case Russia should become a party.
The favorable progress which, I have just learned from the British Ambassador, is being made toward a solution of the first question mentioned above is an earnest of the similar success which might attend the use of such a method for the other problems. In any event I think these problems would be clarified by direct conversations between the Prime Ministers or Foreign Ministers of the Powers directly concerned.
If it would be in any way helpful or would induce an atmosphere favorable to such conversations, I see no reason why the British Government might not invite these officials to London at different periods during the next few months for this purpose in order to avoid having the meetings on the territory of any of the immediately interested parties. If this should not prove convenient to any of the persons involved, some other capital, such as Brussels, The Hague, Vienna, or Copenhagen, might serve. Perhaps, in order to diversify interest, successive conversations of this character might be held in the various [Page 492] capitals mentioned. Furthermore, it would seem possible for the British Government to approach the different parties concerned and ask them if they would prefer in each case to have some impartial observer present and if the answer were in the affirmative there could certainly be no objection, and on the contrary it might be extremely useful for such a person as Mr. Henderson or Mr. Beneš to serve in this capacity to stimulate an atmosphere of concession and to prevent impasses.
Repeat to Brussels as Dept’s No. 11.