500.A12/71: Telegram
The Ambassador in Great Britain ( Houghton ) to the Secretary of State
332. Department’s circular telegram, October 22, 4 p.m.18 I have not felt it advisable to discuss disarmament with other diplomatic representatives, and what information I have comes to me either indirectly or in conversations with members of the press. I feel sure, nevertheless, that a distinct atmosphere of hostility exists toward any attempt to bring a conference on land armament to Washington. The feeling is that at Locarno19 the European powers reached a friendly understanding without our help and that now they are in a position to regulate armaments among themselves without American initiative, especially as, not being a member of the League of Nations, we have no direct interest or concern in European affairs. I fear, therefore, that any suggestion to bring a conference of nature intimated to Washington would meet with refusal. On other hand, a proposition to reduce naval armaments, in which it is conceded that we have a direct interest, would not improbably receive affirmative answer. I must emphasize, however, fact that Locarno settlement has changed radically the mental attitude of the powers concerned; they now feel to large extent independent of America; and in addition, by conferring great powers on the League of Nations, they are conscious that they have brought into existence new and very important political machine which belongs to them.
Two days ago the Swedish Minister here came to see me, and after discussing matters about which Mr. Sterling will report to you, he asked if America realized how strong the League of Nations had become and if there were any likelihood that in view of the changed situation we would now become a member. I told him that I knew of no reason to suppose that our position would change. He then asked if President Coolidge was thinking of calling a conference in Washington on land disarmament. I said that I was without information. He said that he hoped the President would not, as such a request would certainly be refused, and added that he knew whereof he spoke as he had discussed matter with other diplomatic representatives and had just come from a talk with Chamberlain. A naval conference would, he said, receive a favorable answer. Doubtless you remember the [Page 13] Minister; he is usually well informed. Certainly he left me with the impression that the whole matter of land disarmament had already been discussed by Briand and Chamberlain, and that any attempt at this time on our part would be resented by them. All Chamberlain has ever said to me is that he told Luther20 that Germany must not expect a disarmament of the other powers so complete as had been forced on her.
As you are aware, we are not popular in Europe just now. Our refusal to join the League of Nations and our insistence upon debt repayments have left us without friends. The conclusion is inescapable for me that an open refusal to allow us to take lead in European disarmament would be popular over here; but I also think that an entirely new method of approach in which we could have something to offer would change present situation.
Daily press of this week beginning the 19th has carried various articles quoting the White House spokesman as having pointed out desirability of holding a disarmament conference upon signing of the Locarno Agreement and indicating that President upon any favorable intimation from Europe might consider issuing invitations to one. There have been no direct editorial articles but the general press comment has been that with the Locarno Agreement initiative has passed from Washington to Geneva, and points out that the Locarno Agreement was reached without any American participation. An alleged statement by Chamberlain to the French press is generally referred to, that Locarno had brought the question of universal disarmament nearer realization than it had ever been before; that Mr. Coolidge was interesting himself in this problem but that it ought to be widely known that at present time the League of Nations was busy preparing for summoning of an international disarmament conference.
[The remainder of the telegram quotes excerpts from British newspaper statements.]