767.68119/553: Telegram
The Special Mission at Lausanne to the Secretary of State
[Received April 24—1 a.m.]
251. An informal meeting of all the delegations was held this afternoon. Rumbold presided, and after expressing thanks for Swiss hospitality he said he hoped that the efforts of the renewed conference would result in the early reestablishment of peace in the Orient.
Rumbold stated that it had been agreed that the work of the conference would be apportioned among three committers. He would preside over the first which would take into consideration the articles of the treaty having no [to do with] territorial and military matters, including the judicial capitulations, insofar as these questions had not yet been settled. The second committee which Pellé would preside over would discuss the unfinished financial article of the treaty and the third committee presided over by Montagna would take up economic questions. These committees will all begin work immediately but not concurrently. Pellé, Montagna, Otchiai and Ismet made statements [of] the same general tenor expressing hope for the early reestablishment of peace.
Grew made the following statement:
“I need hardly say gentlemen how heartily the United States welcomes the continuation of this conference. It reconvenes on a substantial basis, the basis of definite understandings already reached on a variety of important subjects, as a result of patient and constructive work, and upon this firm foundation we fully expect soon to see erected the edifice for which the world is waiting with eagerness, a just and stable peace. For Switzerland’s hospitality in this great task we are extremely grateful.
Permit me to speak very briefly of the position of the American representation at these resumed negotiations. We are here for the same purpose and in the same capacity as before the adjournment, participating not on the footing of a belligerent against Turkey nor that [sic] as a party to the treaty of peace under negotiation between the Allied Powers and Turkey, but none the less in a fully representative capacity and with full authorization and competence to speak on behalf of the Government of the United States. In the ensuing deliberations we wish to see safeguarded the legitimate national interests [of] the United States, the principle of commercial opportunity for all nations, and the humanitarian considerations upon which our views have been expressed. Should other issues arise or should amplification of these declarations prove desirable we shall avail ourselves of the privileges of further statement or comment.
So far as it may be within our proper functions and to the extent of our power we wish to assist in serving the cause of peace.”