500.A15a3/825: Telegram
The Chairman of the American Delegation (Stimson) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received April 4—5:12 p.m.]
200. The negotiations between the French and the British, which have been going ahead steadily on question of security, culminated today in a four-hour session. The following propositions are under discussion:
- 1.
- Restatement of annex F of the Locarno Pact; this has been practically agreed upon;
- 2.
- Amendment of the League of Nations Covenant so as to prohibit wars in certain conditions which are not now prohibited;
- 3.
- General agreement of both Great Britain and France to improve all means of judicial and arbitrable settlement of disputes.
Tomorrow the Conference will continue on proposition of: (1) French tonnage figures; (2) relations with Italy.
It is probable that Briand will then go to Paris to lay the plan before the French Government and will return on Monday.
The decision of the British Government is contingent upon a meeting of the Cabinet to be called on Monday.
We have taken no part in the conference, of course, but I have strongly urged upon MacDonald the necessity of expeditious settlement of the pivotal questions of the Conference in order that we may bring things to a close as soon as possible.
Conferences with the Japanese on details of settlement with them are progressing before the committee of experts.