500.A4a/162
Memorandum by the Secretary of State of a Conversation with Senator Schanzer, of the Italian Delegation, December 3, 1921
Senator Schanzer called to say that he had noted in the press a report that a quadruple agreement was under consideration between the United States, Great Britain, France and Japan; that [Page 6] Italy desired very much to be associated with an agreement which related to matters in the Far East; that it was true that she did not have territorial interests there but that she had been invited to the Conference and had sent her representatives and felt that it would be unfortunate if she were omitted in an agreement that was made relating to these questions.
The Secretary said that he was not at liberty to state at this time what was in contemplation; that he would say to Senator Schanzer in the strictest confidence that any agreement which might be thought of between the United States, Great Britain, France and Japan exclusively, would have relation to the territorial interests of these countries and not to matters in which Italy had an interest; that if an agreement were made which went beyond territorial interests but dealt generally with policies in China, the Secretary hoped that an opportunity would be given to those participating in the Conference either to become parties to such an agreement or to at least adhere to it; that such an agreement in relation to China would naturally have reference to the “open door” and the principles which had already been adopted; that the distinction between such a general agreement to which various nations might adhere and an agreement which had relation to territorial interests in the East, as, for example, in the islands of the Pacific, in which those only having such interests would be concerned, was quite apparent.
Senator Schanzer expressed himself as satisfied with the explanation.
Senator Schanzer said that he desired to refer to the subject of land armament; that this was a matter of great importance to Italy; that he hoped that a resolution would be brought forward with respect to it; and that if the American Delegation did not feel at liberty to bring forward such a resolution he hoped that Italy would be given an opportunity to do so; that it was perfectly agreeable to have the United States take the initiative in the matter but that if the United States did not wish to do so Italy would not like to have some other government, such as France, take the initiative rather than Italy herself.
The Secretary referred to the difficulties, in relation to land armament, which grew out of the European situation, not alone with respect to the points made by M. Briand, in relation to the feeling of France as to her security,13 but also with respect to the Soviet Army, and the special apprehensions of certain, countries. The Secretary said, however, that he hoped that some expression [Page 7] might be made by the Conference upon the subject and that he would be very glad indeed to consult Italy in regard to the matter if it seemed that it was practicable to bring such a resolution forward.
- See minutes of the third plenary session, Nov. 21, 1921, Conference on the Limitation of Armament pp. 116 ff.↩