711.0021Anti-War/106
The French Chargé (Sartiges) to the Secretary of State
Mr. Secretary of State: Shortly before his departure on leave Monsieur Claudel told Your Excellency of the great satisfaction it would give the French Government if you should be willing personally to represent the Federal Government at the ceremonies connected with the signature of the anti-war treaty.
Your Excellency agreed in principle to this request, indicating the date of August 27th as being more convenient for you, but reserving at the same time your definitive answer until such time as you should have received the assurance that the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the principal powers signatory of the treaty were able to go themselves to Paris on the 21st [27th?] of August.
Following the desire thus expressed by Your Excellency, M. Briand has now been assured that Sir Austen Chamberlain, M. Stresemann, M. Hymans, M. Beneš and very probably M. Zalewski will go personally to Paris on the 27th of August. Mr. Mussolini and Baron Tanaka, who were also invited, have expressed their regret that they are unable to go to Paris in person.
In view of these several acceptances, my Government has instructed me to reiterate to Your Excellency the invitation of Monsieur Claudel and to tell you how happy it will be if you will be good enough definitely to agree to go to Paris on the 27th of August.
In the hope of a favorable response, I am [etc.]