711.0012Anti-War/104: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Herrick)
233. I have sent the following note today to the French Chargé d’Affaires:
“In your letter of July 28th [26th], you referred to the conversation which I had with the Ambassador, M. Claudel, shortly before his departure, when he conveyed to me the desire of his Government that I should come to Paris for the signature of the Treaty for the Renunciation of War, a journey which, in view of the great part which France has played in these negotiations, I am most happy to undertake and where, in accordance with your assurances, I shall have the pleasure of signing the treaty with the Foreign Ministers of the countries who have collaborated in this work. As I stated to M. Claudel, I should have been most happy to invite the interested Governments to sign the treaty here in Washington, but I have been glad to yield the place of host to France, both as a tribute to its initiative and out of consideration for the greater convenience it affords to the larger number of signatory states. It gives me great pleasure to assure you that the date of August 27th is altogether agreeable to me and that I shall sail on the 18th of August in order to reach Paris in ample time.”
I am sailing on the Ile de France on the 18th. Shall be most happy to be your guest in Paris at the time of the signature of the treaty. Mrs. Kellogg will be with me. I do not expect to stay in Paris longer [Page 130] than a day or two after the signing of the treaty. I then expect to go to England and probably to Ireland for one day, sailing on the Leviathan September 4th. Mr. Marriner will sail on the Aquitania August 1st; will go to London for a few days and then to Paris where he will be available in connection with arrangements for the signature and program. My Secretary (Beck) will stay with him in Paris.