Office of the Historian

852.00/6122: Telegram

The Ambassador in France (Bullitt) to the Secretary of State

Paris, July 30, 1937—1 p.m.
[Received 5:07 p.m.]

1080. At the close of our conversation this afternoon Delbos said to me that he believed the Committee of Non-intervention in Spain would reach definite disagreement in the course of the next week or two and that the powers would resume liberty of action. He regarded this possibility with the utmost apprehension feeling that it might well lead to European war.

He went on to say that for some time the Pope had desired to offer his mediation in the Spanish conflict. At the present time the relations of the French Government with the Pope were intimate. He had advised the Pope not to attempt to intervene at the moment. Indeed, his vigorous advice to the Pope had been the only thing which had prevented the Pope from intervening. It was now understood that at any time he, Delbos, should say to the Papal Nuncio in Paris that he believed an appeal by the Pope would be efficacious, the Pope would make such an appeal.

Delbos said that he believed an appeal by the Pope would fail because of the hostility to the Pope of the Valencia Government on the one hand and the German Government on the other. The only hope that he could see for a successful mediation would be if the President of the United States and the Pope should appeal simultaneously for a cessation of hostilities coupled with a proposal of mediation. He asked me if I would submit this thought for the President’s consideration, reiterating that he was entirely certain that if the President should wish to make such an appeal he could arrange for the cooperation of the Pope in any form that the President might deem wise.

I treated this suggestion of Delbos in an interested but casual manner so that it will not be necessary for us to make any formal reply. On the other hand, if by any chance the President should feel disposed to act on the suggestion, the door is open.

I should be greatly obliged if you would let me have an entirely confidential indication as to the point of view of yourself and the President in case Delbos should bring up the matter when next we meet.33

Bullitt
  1. No reply is found in Department files.↩