500.A15 a 1/185: Telegram
The Chief of the American Delegation on the Preparatory Commission (Gibson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:59 p.m.]
241. Until it should be possible to arrive at some idea of developments here I have postponed request for Department’s instructions concerning arrangements for Naval Limitation Conference. The Preparatory Commission will in all likelihood adjourn towards the end of the month, see my No. 239,31 and will not resume its sessions until after the Assembly meeting in September. There will therefore be no conflict in time between the Three-Power Conference and the Preparatory Commission.
It would seem to me inadvisable to approach Sir Eric Drummond32 before the receipt of instructions from you and before further developments could be more clearly estimated. My information is, however, that Drummond would, if requested, be happy to grant us the facilities of the Secretariat’s machinery as he is eager to have the pourparlers take place in Geneva.
Bridgeman, in conversation with me in London, made no secret of the fact that he was opposed to Geneva as a meeting place and that his preference lay in the direction of Brussels or The Hague because they were more accessible to London and were free from the atmosphere of Geneva. He attached some weight to this in the event that the negotiations should be protracted and that his presence in London should, from time to time, be required. I replied that the [Page 36] President had particularly suggested Geneva since he wished it made clear that the conversations were in no manner of means in rivalry with the work of the Preparatory Commission but were, on the contrary, closely connected therewith. I therefore gave it as my assured opinion that we would not be willing to initiate any change in this regard. It is possible that the British will resuscitate the suggestion concerning Brussels or The Hague upon the adjournment of the Preparatory Commission, and should that question arise I hope that a decision in one sense or another will be reached before Drummond is approached. The First Lord’s suggestion contains one sound idea: a large number of persons of all nationalities are always cognizant of any proceedings in the Secretariat and it may be felt preferable to form a secretariat of our own. Since my Japanese colleague informs me that his country’s delegation favors the English language in the conduct of negotiations, this should present no difficulty as the need for translation and interpreting will be avoided. My own convenience will, of course, be best served by the choice of Brussels, but I trust you understand that I would not like this to be taken into consideration in reaching a decision. I might add that the expenditure will be largely reduced in that case since the Embassy Chancery could be used for our work and the considerable expense for headquarters at the hotel be avoided.
The Executive Council would, I learn, be inconvenienced should the work commence before June 20, since until shortly before then the Council will be in session. We would hardly be warranted in asking the Secretariat to undergo the large outlay and inconvenience which a carrying on of the conversations coincident with the Council meeting would involve.