767.68116/227: Telegram
The Special Mission at Lausanne to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:25 p.m.]
47. The trend as we see it is that no one will controvert the general principle of freedom of the Straits in peacetime for ships of commerce. We have already received instructions not to claim freedom of passage during war.27 There will arise the question of passage by warships in peacetime and the administration of any zone which may be neutralized or demilitarized. We will not volunteer any comment on the first question but we may be asked for our views. We wish instructions as to the attitude of our Government, with especial consideration of the bearing upon waterways such as the Panama Canal of any precedents that it may be attempted to establish here. What attitude shall we take with respect to a neutralized or demilitarized zone regarding: (1) pledges of support for the enforcement of such [Page 911] neutralization or demilitarization; (2) membership on any international board set up for the control of such zone? Doubtless the Department is aware that there will be a tendency to inquire as to the willingness of the American Government to assume such obligations.