500.A15a4/4
The Minister in Switzerland (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 26.]
Dear Mr. Secretary: In view of the Department’s telegram No. 3,85 in which you authorize me to hold myself available for consultation during the approaching session of the Council in January, it seems to me advisable to lay before you, as well as we can foresee it, the situation which will probably develop.
In all probability Beneš will be named by the Council as Chairman of the General Disarmament Conference. It is particularly requested that this be treated as confidential for the present. It is also the plan that during the period between his nomination and the summoning of the Conference, he will occupy himself with the problem of sounding out the situation among the States of Europe to try and harmonize the points of view as far as possible in advance.
The date will probably be set sometime in February 1932, and the place Geneva. There has been discussion of the advisability of moving to another city, but the practical objections of the Secretariat to pulling up stakes, will probably prevail.
[Page 477]As far as Gibson and I can see, the choice of the Chairman is an excellent one. Beneš occupies a unique position on the Continent, both through his length of service as Minister for Foreign Affairs, and his conciliatory and intelligent nature. He will probably be able to create a greater degree of harmony than any other one man.
As far as the date is concerned, this seems entirely practical from the point of view of study and other work of the Secretariat, inasmuch as it leaves an opportunity for uninterrupted work from the month of February until the meeting of the Assembly in September, in case such a prolonged session is necessary.
Unless, therefore, you desire me to take some other position and express preference for some other date, I shall assume that you wish me to acquiesce in such arrangements.
Very respectfully yours,
- Not printed.↩