500.A15a3/805: Telegram
The Chairman of the American Delegation (Stimson) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received April 1—7:15 a.m.]
181. Your telegrams Nos. 281 and 282, March 31, 6 p.m., and 7 p.m., respectively. Reports of our death are greatly exaggerated. Last evening at 5 o’clock the British submitted their proposal to the French for the clarification of the Covenant relations of the two powers, and the document was read to me at 6 o’clock. As I understand the British propositions, they so nearly approach the French demands that I doubt very much that the French will reject them. MacDonald expects a reply tomorrow; and this morning he tells me that he is very hopeful. He is of the opinion that the firmness of the British statement, to which you referred, has cleared the atmosphere and has made the French more amenable. I have been working for a three-power treaty as my second line of reserve since I arrived here. I shall continue to work for a five-power treaty as long as I deem it to be within the bounds of possibility, for I feel that the high purposes mentioned in your suggested message from the President to MacDonald will be far better served by a five-power treaty than by a three-power treaty.