500.A15a4/21: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:19 p.m.]
10. I refer to your No. 11 to London, January 13, 5 p.m.94 An extremely confused situation exists at Geneva. A definite impression [Page 484] is held by the British delegation that you dislike both the proposed nomination of officers from small powers and also the nomination of officers by the Council. Telegrams from Lindsay which they have read to me seem to suggest this, at least by implication. They are not sure that the inference they have drawn is correct, since they recognize that you were discussing the question of American participation. However, they want a program that is entirely acceptable to you.
Curtius95 has urged Henderson that the selection of the officers of the Conference be by direct conversations between the interested powers, and has declared that this is also your view, according to his information from Washington.
The French have telegraphed Claudel96 to ask you certain questions, as they also wish to have the matter arranged to your liking. They hope to carry out the original program.
Those who want to follow out the original plan feel that the appointment of officers for preliminary work is wholly consistent with your position. This is true, they suggest, because these officers could be definitely instructed to bring about direct conversations between the principal land powers.
I should greatly appreciate replies, for my own guidance, to the following questions:
- 1.
- Have you objection to the nomination of the officers of the Conference by the Council?
- 2.
- If you have no objections, do you feel that Beneš is suitable as president?
- 3.
- Is Curtius correct in his assertion that you share his views?
- 4.
- If you have objection to the nomination of officers by the Council would you agree to leaving the choice of officers to the Conference itself and to the Council now naming a “standing committee” to carry out the preparatory work? (In view of the publicity given to Beneš’ nomination as president it is possible that he would not agree to act on the committee.)
- 5.
- In your opinion would it be advisable for the Council definitely to instruct the standing committee to make every effort to bring about conversations on major problems?
The Council has disarmament on its agenda for the 20th, but there is a strong feeling that this item should be adjourned until your views are clearly known.
There is opposition on the part of Germany and Italy to the appointment of Beneš. Probably this opposition will not be forcefully presented unless opposition to him or to the nomination of officers by [Page 485] the Council generally is expressed by you. Thus your decision on these questions will probably be the deciding factor.