500.A15a3/479: Telegram
The Chargé in France (Armour) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5:31 p.m.]
555. Last night I dined with Bunau Varilla, who is the owner of the newspaper Le Matin; the only other person present, other than the immediate family, was Tardieu. After dinner the question of the London Naval Conference was raised by Tardieu, who spoke very frankly regarding the difficulties confronting France. He referred particularly to the problem presented by the new German cruiser Ersatz Preussen, and also discussed France’s position in the Mediterranean and the insistence of Italy on parity. He seemed inclined, to trace much of France’s troubles back to the creation of ratio figures at the Washington Naval Conference. Tardieu admitted that one of the things that did not make the work easier was what he called the “Geneva frame of mind” of his subordinates who from their work at the League seemed to have evolved a complicated and [Page 296] circuitous method of approach to all problems. When Hugh Gibson’s name was mentioned in the course of the conversation, Tardieu spoke in very warm terms of Gibson and his work. He made it clear to me that he would welcome an opportunity to see Gibson and talk over matters with him, should Gibson be in Paris in the near future.
I spoke with Gibson this morning by telephone. He told me that he feels sure that he could come to Paris without having his visit cause any comment, as a number of reasonable explanations for it could be offered, but he would hesitate to accept Tardieu’s suggestion until he knows whether it meets with the Department’s approval. I am inclined to believe from the fact that when Bunau Varilla invited me he stated that Tardieu wanted to see me and from the way the conversation was turned to the London Conference that Tardieu has something on his mind, and that a meeting with Gibson at this time might prove most useful. You may, in this connection, wish to reread Gibson’s telegram No. 84 of October 29, 5 p.m.96
Please let me have your decision in this matter as soon as possible? Cipher mailed to Brussels.