500.A15a4/344½
The Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs ( Grandi ) to the Secretary of State
My Dear Mr. Stimson: I expect it will interest you to have some account from me of the conversations which took place lately in Borne with the German Ministers.
Chancellor Bruening and Dr. Curtius were our guests at the end of last week. Their meeting with signor Mussolini was most cordial and the various conversations between him and Dr. Bruening and between Dr. Curtius and myself were as frank and friendly as could be desired.
Many points relating to the more important problems of the day were freely examined with a spirit of mutual comprehension and my impression is that Dr. Bruening and signor Mussolini were able to fully appreciate each other.
1)—As to the critical situation in Germany Dr. Bruening confirmed the opinion that his country will do her utmost to surmount the present difficulties relying on her own capacity and resources. This will restore confidence at home and abroad, and Germany hopes she will then be able to count on the friendly collaboration of all countries. Dr. Bruening has expressed the hope that, as soon as the work of the [Page 559] Committee of Bankers85 has come to an end, the London Conference may be resumed with a view to examining more thoroughly the present situation.
Signor Mussolini has declared to Dr. Bruening that he has great faith in the possibilities of Germany and in the personal qualities of the Chancellor himself. He agreed on the opinion that it would be necessary to hold a new Conference for completing the work which has been broached up in London. To make such a Conference a success, it was, of course, imperative that the various Governments should approach it in a spirit of sincere goodwill, putting aside as much as possible their particularistic views, each keeping into due account the special position and the difficulties of the others.
2)—Dr. Bruening has informed signor Mussolini regarding the Franco-German conversations in Paris and in London. Signor Mussolini expressed the hope that a definite improvement may be reached in the relations between France and Germany. Italy is likewise doing and will do her best to improve her friendly relations with France. The peace and future of Europe are based on a good understanding between the four Great Powers, and on the possibility for these Powers, who are signatories of the Locarno Treaty, to pursue their common work in a spirit of good will and reciprocal comprehension, and in close touch with the United States. Efforts should not be spared to bring also Russia gradually to assume a definite responsibility before the great problems of the day. Hence the utility of frequent meetings and of a frequent exchange of views between the statesmen who are responsible for the policies of the various countries.
3)—The problem of disarmament and of the future Conference were discussed at length. We agreed that a failure of the conference would be a severe blow to the policy of general collaboration and peace and perhaps to the very existence of the League of Nations. It is therefore imperative to do all in our power to attain practical results.
The German Ministers have explained to us the position of their country with regard to the problem of disarmament and the policy which the Government of the Reich will presumably pursue during the Conference.
We have expressed the opinion that Germany’s position will be all the stronger, from a moral and a political point of view, if her policy, rather than being based on a claim to arm and to follow other countries in an increase of armaments—which is contrary to Treaty obligations—will stress the right of Germany to expect other countries [Page 560] to reduce their armaments in compliance with the undertaking contained in the Peace Treaties.
I also broached with Chancellor Bruening and Dr. Curtius a subject which I discussed with you during your visit to Rome. I said that the Italian Government considers that, in order that the success of the Disarmament Conference may be assured, it would be highly desirable that the Conference should open with some kind of preliminary understanding of a general and provisional nature between the various Governments. This might consist in an undertaking to postpone for a definite period of time the existing programmes of naval constructions, while something similar might also be agreed to with regard to land and air armaments. The moral effect of such measures would doubtless be very great and the work of the Disarmament Conference would begin in an atmosphere of confidence, rather than in a spirit of competition and mistrust.
Both Chancellor Bruening and Dr. Curtius have declared their agreement, on general lines, with this idea. For their part they would be ready to undertake the postponement of the proposed construction of Battleship “C” (battleship “B” being already under construction). They would likewise be disposed to follow a similar course of action with regard to other armaments.
4)—The German Ministers have insisted upon the necessity of intensifying the work which is at present being done with a view to reaching, as soon as possible, an understanding of a general economical character to surmount the existing crisis. We have declared our agreement and our readiness to consider with an open mind the proposals which might be made concerning this important matter.
5)—The question of the Austro-German customs Union was merely mentioned, it being understood that our respective Governments were waiting to hear the decision of the International Court of the Hague.
We did not go into the merits of the question but the German Ministers must have realized by now the great importance we attach to it. I do hope that they will realize also that it is in the general interest of Europe to see such a question being dismissed from the field of our preoccupations.
Summing up; I can say that all the conversations were prompted by the sentiment of the seriousness of the present world situation and all the problems have been discussed with the feeling that their solution can be found only through a sincere effort of international collaboration.
There is nothing new concerning our naval conversations with France. After the hint we received from Paris about one and half month ago, we are still waiting for a communication of the announced new French proposals. Of course we are still in favour of the “Bases [Page 561] of agreement” of March last86 and hope that an agreement may be reached on those bases. Anyhow we intend to spare no effort to come to a favourable conclusion and I will not fail to keep you informed about the future negotiations, if any.
I am leaving for a very short holiday in the mountains and expect to be back in Rome within ten days, and then leave for Geneva at the end of the month.
I hope you will fully enjoy your well deserved rest in the moors of Scotland.
I am [etc.]