548.D1/40: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Consul at Geneva (Gilbert)

112. Your 263, October 17, paragraph 3, and your 246, paragraph 1 (c),28 please indicate informally to Avenol that this Government does not desire to participate in the choice of a High Commissioner.

[Page 373]

Your 263, October 17, paragraph 4, you should informally suggest to Avenol, in the event that an endeavor is made to obtain an American as High Commissioner, that this Government would prefer that the matter be handled under alternative C.29

For your information, an acceptance of the League’s invitation as set forth in your 259, October 1430 will be cabled to Bern for delivery.

Hull
  1. Neither printed.
  2. The three alternatives suggested for obtaining an American High Commissioner were:

    • “(A) To ask the American Government if it desires to ‘nominate’ or to ‘suggest’ an individual;
    • “(B) To present the name of an American national to the Government and inquire whether the United States ‘is agreeable to’ or ‘has any objection to’ his appointment;
    • “(C) To offer the appointment direct to an American national, leaving to him entirely the matter of his taking it up with Washington if he so desires.” (548.D1/29)

  3. Not printed.