500.A15a3/765: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Chairman of the American Delegation (Stimson)
[Paraphrase]
Washington, March 22, 1930—2
p.m.
245. Your No. 147, March 19, 7 p.m., last paragraph. It is Mr. Root’s opinion:
- 1.
- That the Washington Treaty is superior to the proposal of Malkin in that the latter does not directly state the rules as a foundation for public opinion.
- 2.
- That the substance of what is most important is included, however, and
- 3.
- That a valuable addition is made by the clause as to what is meant by safety.
- 4.
- That the change would be compensated for by French ratification. At the same time he thinks that the criticism that the Washington provision joins search and seizure regulations with rules for protection of life has no merit.
The rights of search and seizure furnish the only foundation for the right to threaten lives on a merchant vessel, and the only basis for the protection of such lives rests upon definite rules pertaining to such rights.
Cotton