462.00R296/4497: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France ( Edge )
358. For Mr. Stimson. Reference is to your telegram No. 443 of July 15, 6 p.m.59 If a conference of responsible Ministers should be held in London, it has been suggested that it might be well to discuss questions such as a revision of the Young Plan or the extending of the President’s proposal beyond the contemplated period of 1 year. This conference should be solely one to meet the present emergency. I have tried to make this point clear to the British Ambassador, and the President feels that you should so inform Mr. Henderson60 tomorrow. The United States would find it completely impossible to participate in any conference other than one to meet the present emergency. This is not the time to discuss other matters. The introduction of other questions would mean a year of discussions and during this time the economic picture would grow steadily darker. What the conference should try to do now is to smooth out the differences between Germany and France which make practically impossible any solution of the present difficulties. It should also draw up a permanent and far reaching plan on the relief of Germany for the consideration of the bankers. Since the purpose of the conference is solely to meet a critical situation, it should not venture beyond these two subjects.