500.A15/145: Telegram

The Minister in Switzerland ( Gibson ) to the Secretary of State

45. When in Geneva yesterday I took occasion to point out to Madariaga in an oral and informal manner the considerations outlined in the Department’s 22, February 6, 6 p.m. Madariaga confirmed the statements made in paragraphs 3 and 4 of my 38, February 9, 5 p.m., and in addition pointed out that for the purposes and duration of the Conference the character of the Permanent Advisory Commission would be completely altered. As the Department is aware, that Commission at present consists of military, naval and air experts of the Governments represented on the Council. During the forthcoming Conference however these experts will be the same as the technical advisers of the delegations of such Government[s] and in addition the military, naval and air advisers of each delegation to the Preliminary Conference whose Governments are not members of the League or Council are to be asked to form temporarily part of its membership. Hence during the life of the Conference the Advisory Commission would in fact be eliminated and substituted [replaced] by a technical advisory subcommittee of the Preparatory Commission itself.

With regard to the Joint Commission, he stated that it is understood that at least for the purpose and duration of the Conference one member each of the American, German and Japanese delegations will be asked to sit with it. In view of the foregoing it would not seem necessary to point out to Drummond, who is temporarily absent, the considerations set forth in the Department’s 22, February 6, 6 p.m., unless the Department so desires.

Gibson