462.00R296/5035
Memorandum by the Acting Secretary of State91
Mr. Sackett stated that, although it was one o’clock in Germany, he was still in the Chancery as they were sending a telegram about a talk they had just had with German officials concerning the British suggestion that Germany make some gesture, such as giving up the Customs Union, to show her good will. Mr. Sackett said he hoped we would read this telegram carefully.
I then told Mr. Sackett that I had been talking with the President along these same lines and that the President felt strongly that the United States could not mix into political questions, since we had made a very definite statement to that effect both to the French and to the Italians and that we had told them the President’s broad plan for relief should not be used by any government as a lever to obtain political concessions. I went on to say, however, that, so far as the new German battleship was concerned, we did not really consider that a political question; that we were very much interested in the whole question of disarmament; we knew that, if Germany would give up this new battleship, temporarily at least, it would make the chances for a successful disarmament conference next year much greater. I said that, furthermore, the failure of France and Italy to reach an agreement92 had been, it was alleged, because of the German building program.
In addition to this I pointed out that the greatest sacrifices under the President’s plan were assumed by this country, that it would be [Page 98] very hard for the American public to understand why, when we were giving up so much, Germany went right on with its building program, that it would be disastrous if the Americans should get the idea that with the money we gave up Germany was increasing its armament. I told Mr. Sackett that, if he felt he could do so, it would be well worth while to get in touch with Bruening the first thing Monday morning and put this point of view up to him strongly. He said that he was able to say anything to the Germans and that he would be glad to do it and, although he did not know what their reaction would be, he would do his best.