711.4112Anti-War/42: Telegram
The Ambassador in Cheat Britain (Houghton) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 7—10:15 a.m.]
99. Fleuriau came to see me late yesterday. He said that he was convinced that some sort of meeting, whether of jurists or not, will be found to be necessary before the treaty can be put in final form. He urged particularly that matters be not hurried too much. French opinion which up to now has taken proposal somewhat lightly is beginning to look at it more seriously and time must be given for this opinion to crystallize. Fleuriau said that the French amour propre had been somewhat disturbed by fact that you have now assumed control of the negotiations, but he doubts that this feeling will prove serious obstacle.
His most interesting statement was that France would not find it at all easy to sign a treaty which Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Yugoslavia cannot also sign. He had reason to think that Poland favored the treaty, but Yugoslavia’s attitude was unknown to him. He felt that Czechoslovakia was somewhat unfriendly, for when he had talked with Beneš54 about a week ago the latter saw many difficulties in the way. Within the next few days he expects to see Beneš again, and said he hoped that I, too, would take advantage of Beneš’ presence here at the present moment to go over the situation with him. French acceptance will be made much easier if the three states mentioned above agree.
As for himself, Fleuriau is in favor of the treaty, provided that your interpretation of its meaning, substantially as given in your Washington address, can be put into a more precise and authoritative form. He thought that it might appear in preamble of the treaty. He wishes to talk with me again a little later on, and hopes that by that time he will be in a position to outline the French position more clearly. He repeated several times that much would be accomplished if your point of view could be given to Poincaré as frankly and directly as we had discussed them.
I shall not attempt to approach Beneš unless you think that, taking everything into consideration, some useful purpose would be served by my doing so, as I do not wish to interfere with any action that Einstein55 may be taking. Please instruct by cable.