711.0012Anti-War/184: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Herrick) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7 p.m.]
230. [Paraphrase.] As Briand was absent today I saw his Chef de Cabinet, who said that there would be no difficulty in notification of Russia by French Government of signature of the treaty and in stating, in effect, that, as the Government of the United States was the depositary of the instruments of ratification of adherence and for that reason is inviting the nations of the world to adhere to this treaty but is unable to do so in the case of Russia because of the absence of diplomatic relations, the Government of France is extending this invitation to Russia.
I remarked that this statement went beyond the precise proposal contained in your No. 247, August 8, 3 p.m., second paragraph, and that according to my understanding the remainder of your program might depend upon the ability of French Government to carry out your suggestion without modification. I told the Chef de Cabinet that I would report his statement to my Government, asking him at the same time to put into exact terms the formula which Government of France proposes to adopt in approaching Soviet Government. [End paraphrase.]
I emphasized that your early departure necessitated a definite answer upon the whole question of adherence procedure at the earliest [Page 143] possible moment and as Wednesday, August 15, is one of the principal religious holidays which usually carries over at least two days, I urged that the Chef de Cabinet obtain this answer tomorrow. This he engaged to endeavor to do.