711.4112Anti-War/21: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Fletcher) to the Secretary of State
[Received 1:35 p.m.]
43. My 42, May 2. I am informed by the British Ambassador that his Government has suggested to Italians that an American expert be asked to meet with the juristic experts of other powers, as Sir Austen Chamberlain wishes more than all else to avoid appearance of a united European front opposite the United States. Ambassador said that no place had been suggested for the meeting; perhaps either Paris or London, he thought. He agreed with my view that selection [Page 46] of Geneva would be unfortunate. The suggestion for a conference of juristic experts apparently did not reach Germany until after the Germans had accepted.