File No. 763.72/7669

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France ( Sharp)1

[Telegram]

2798. The Department is advised that the French Government have informed the British Government that they are not prepared to invite the smaller Allies to take part in the coming Inter-Allied Conference and that the British Government have replied that they are inclined to the view that the conference proper should be confined to the larger powers with the smaller powers invited to attend when subjects affecting them are discussed, and furthermore the British Government are of the view that all the Allies should be invited to be represented at a final session of the conference and given an opportunity to state their views.

Inform the Minister for Foreign Affairs that this Government shares the opinion of the British Government and believes that an unfortunate situation would be created which might affect the issue of the war if smaller powers were given cause of complaint that they were not permitted to discuss war measures affecting their welfare with their larger Allies.

Lansing
  1. Repeated, Nov. 10, to the Ambassadors in Great Britain (No. 5770) and Italy (No. 964), for their information.