500.A15/946: Telegram
The Chairman of the American Delegation ( Gibson ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5:40 p.m.]
40. Preparatory Commission adjourned at the conclusion of today’s session.
Discussion on naval clauses was opened this morning by Sato who asked for postponement of their consideration until interested governments had completed detailed studies of American suggestion. His speech was cordial in tone and supported our contention as to reduction rather than limitation of armaments. Cushendun’s speech seconded Sato’s proposal. Massigli and Marinis followed with short speeches. I then made my statement25 (see my 39, May 6, 11 a.m.26) after which the debate was closed and the matter [meeting] adjourned.
The next item on the agenda was the second reading to [of?] chapters three and five of the draft convention which as foreshadowed was likewise postponed on the ground that some of it was intimately related with decisions to be taken on naval clauses. Massigli however took the floor to announce the withdrawal of the French demand for international supervision and control (see my 35, May 3, 7 p.m.26) and promised to circulate in a short time the text of his substitute proposals dealing with exchange of information, arbitration regarding interpretation of convention, special status of states non members of the League, et cetera. In reply I stated that I knew that concessions were not always easy, that they often meant sacrificing for the common benefit beliefs held with conviction and that I wished to pay tribute to the spirit which had prompted Massigli and the French Government on this fundamental question.
I closed on a distinct note of optimism and was followed by Litvinoff who read a lengthy piece of cynical invective against the entire work of the Commission in which among other things he reiterated his unjustified charge that the Commission had scrapped the idea of “reduction” of armaments. President disposed of this accusation in a few effective phrases.
Commission agreed to reconvene at the call of the Chairman who was requested to keep in touch with principal naval powers and summon [Page 105] the Commission as soon as it appeared that the time was ripe for further discussion. Next meeting will be a continuation of present (sixth) session.