711.5512Anti-War/22
The Ambassador in Belgium (Gibson) to the Secretary of
State
Brussels, July 18,
1928.
[Received July 28.]
No. 288
Sir: In confirmation of my telegram No. 43,
of July 17, 7 p.m.,99
I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy, with English
translation, of the note by which the Minister for Foreign Affairs
informed me of the Belgian Government’s willingness to sign the
proposed multilateral treaty providing for the renunciation of
war.
Although published textually in all of last evening’s and this
morning’s newspapers, the note has elicited no editorial comment
from the Belgian press.
I have [etc.]
[Enclosure—Translation]
The Belgian Minister for Foreign
Affairs (Hymans) to the
American Ambassador (Gibson)
Brussels, July 17, 1928.
Direction P.
No. 452–32–611–5041
Mr. Ambassador: The Government of the
King has examined with lively sympathy the letter of June 23 in
which, acting under instructions from your Government, you have
been good enough to invite Belgium to conclude a multilateral
treaty providing that
[Page 118]
the signatory States bind themselves to renounce war as an
instrument of national policy.
Belgium is deeply attached to peace. She has always worked
actively for the realization of movements tending to consolidate
peace. She is therefore happy to pay her tribute to the idea
inspiring the draft treaty.
The text prepared by the Government of Washington commands the
full approbation of the Royal Government. This Government notes
with satisfaction the explanations and interpretations contained
in Your Excellency’s letter. It is pleased to note that the
proposed pact will maintain unimpaired the rights and
obligations arising from the Covenant of the League of Nations
and from the Locarno agreements which constitute for Belgium
fundamental guarantees of security.
The Belgian Government highly appreciates the action of the
American Government which permits it to join in the great work
destined to develop the spirit of peace throughout the world and
to diminish in future the risks of new catastrophes.
The Royal Government would be grateful if the Government of the
United States would inform it as to the date and place which it
may choose for the signature of the treaty.
I avail myself [etc.]
