711.5412Anti-War/2: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland ( Wilson ) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 30—2:13 p.m.]
83. Department’s circular telegram August 16, 11 p.m. Following is translation of note received from Political Department dated today.
“Mr. Minister: We have had the honor to receive the note number 87, dated August 27, by which Your Excellency kindly transmitted to us the text of the treaty condemning war as an instrument of national policy, signed the same day at Paris, and invited the Federal Council to examine the possibility for Switzerland to accede to this agreement.
We have likewise received a copy of the document published by the Government of the United States containing the text of the notes exchanged during the negotiations.
In expressing our thanks for these important communications, we hasten to inform you that the Federal Council took note of them with the greatest interest and that it rejoices at the fortunate conclusion of an agreement which constitutes so eloquent a manifestation in favor of the maintenance of peace in the world.
A collective treaty such as the Kellogg Pact which condemns recourse to war for the settlement of international disputes and proscribes it as an instrument of national policy, a treaty which, moreover, imposes it as a duty upon the contracting states to search by pacific means the solution of all differences of whatsoever nature, [Page 164] was certain to receive the most favorable welcome from the Government and people of Switzerland.
The renunciation of war as an instrument of national policy is in full harmony with the traditional policy of Switzerland and is effectively consecrated by her permanent neutrality which is indeed for Switzerland axiomatic. The idea that all disputes must be regulated or solved by pacific means likewise fully accords with the conception which Switzerland seeks to realize by her policy in the field of international arbitration.
The Federal Council is accordingly convinced that the careful study to which it is submitting the question will undoubtedly lead it to recommend to the Federal Chambers that it be authorized to accede to the new treaty.
In requesting you to bring the foregoing to the attention of your Government we avail ourselves, et cetera. Signed Motta.”
Political Department is making the note public tomorrow, August 31.