Papers relating to the foreign relations of the United States, 1928, Volume I

711.6812Anti-War/10

The Chargé in Greece ( Goold ) to the Secretary of State

Athens , September 6, 1928 .
[Received September 19.]

No. 663

Sir: Adverting to your circular instruction of August 16, 11 P.M., containing the text of the note concerning the signing of the Peace Pact at Paris which I duly handed to the Under Secretary of Foreign Affairs (in absence of the Minister) on the morning of August 28th, I have the honor to enclose copies and translations of Foreign Office note No. 9690 of August 31, in which it appears that as soon as the Chamber of Deputies convenes, the President of the Republic will request its authorization to adhere to the Treaty.

I furthermore have the honor to forward translations of articles which appeared in the Athens press concerning the signing of the treaty⁵⁹ and to report that in general the signature is welcomed as the creation of another obstacle to war in the efficacy of which there is more hope than confidence.

In diplomatic circles here which may or may not reflect opinion of the respective countries, only the Italians seem to have an expectation bordering on hope that the Treaty will fail. To them it seems to be the attempt of the satiated powers to preserve what they have, nearly all of which was won by war; to make it disreputable for anyone ever to dispossess them of their vast war got gains. For the next fifteen or twenty years, so an Italian colleague of mine states, Europe will feel the fatigues of 1914–18 to such a degree that Treaty or no Treaty, there will be no danger of war between the major powers. But during this period, there will be an accumulation of wealth, a new generation will come to the front and the equilibrium will become unbalanced. Some nations will feel themselves stronger than others and will resent the possession by the others of colonies, protectorates, mandates, and influence. And, of course, these other nations will not offer to share any of their patrimony with the rising young peoples. And so a condition will arise when the growing communities will have to decide whether to submit to the arrest of their development, or fight. They will, of course, adopt the second alternative. And it is well that they will do so, for peace under such circumstances degenerates into mere stagnation whereas struggle so sharpens man’s wits and capabilities that it is positively worth the temporary destruction of wealth entailed. Good, sound von Bernhardi doctrine, clearly expounded in the General’s remarkable book which appeared sometime in 1912–13. It may be worth while to observe to what an extent such doctrine is taking hold of Italian youth.

I have [etc.]

H. S. Goold

[Enclosure—Translation]

The Greek Minister for Foreign Affairs ( Carapanos ) to the American Chargé ( Goold )

Athens , August 31, 1928 .

No. 9690

Mr. Chargé d’Affaires: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of August 27, in which you were good enough to inform me in the name of the Government of the United States of America that the Governments of Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Poland, South Africa and the United States of America had signed on the same day at Paris a treaty by which they renounce war as an instrument of national policy in their mutual relations and recognize that the settlement or the solution of all differences which arise between them should be settled by pacific means.

Furthermore, you were good enough to draw the attention of the Government of the Republic to Article III, Paragraph 2, according to which the treaty is open to the adhesion of all the other powers of the world.

The Hellenic Government is happy to note that the high pacific purposes which brought about the conclusion of the treaty are the same as those which constitute the basis of its own efforts.

Consequently, I have the honor to inform you, in the name of my Government, that it will hasten to adhere to the treaty signed at Paris at the noble initiative of the Government of the United States of America. To that end, the President of the Hellenic Government will ask the Chamber of Deputies for the necessary authorization immediately after it convenes.

Accept [etc.]

For the Minister,
The Director General

M. Tsamados

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