760c.61/237: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Wallace) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 25—1:58 a.m.]
1604. British Embassy has furnished me, this afternoon, with a copy of a telegram from Mr. Lloyd George to Lord Derby21 dated Lucerne August 23rd, which reads as follows:
[“] Following telegram repeated Mr. Balfour, London, and Lord D’Abernon,22 Warsaw.
‘I have discussed with Monsieur Giolitti the position as to the transmission of war material through Danzig. We are agreed that one of the principal objects of the arrangements made in the Treaty [Page 394] of Versailles in regard to Danzig was to secure to Poland without any restriction the free use and service of the port and its communications for Polish imports and exports. In our view the powers are bound to secure fair treatment to Poland in this respect. The freedom of Danzig was secured on that condition and the freedom of the port is essential to the very existence of Poland. Subject to the assent of the French Government therefore we propose that immediate instructions should be sent on behalf of all of the Allies to the High Commissioner that he is to do everything possible to secure this. He should be told that if Danzig dockers refuse to unload the ships and convey the war materials any available labor is to be employed under the protection of the Principal Allied Powers. We propose also that instructions should be sent to British and French men-of-war and to the Allied military forces at Danzig to render him all possible support and if necessary the Allied forces on the spot should be reenforced.
Please communicate these proposals at once to the French Government and suggest that if they agree the Secretariat General, after obtaining the assent of the Italian and Japanese representatives in Paris, should send instructions in this sense to the High Commissioner at Danzig. We suggest also that the American Government should be informed with view to possible cooperation by American men-of-war. Monsieur Giolitti is sending similar instructions to the Italian Embassy in Paris.’”
Understand that Secretariat General, with the assent of Allied representatives, is sending an amplified telegram in the sense of paragraph one to Tower to-night.
Would appreciate being advised if American war vessels are ordered to Danzig.