462.00R296/4111: Telegram
The Ambassador in France ( Edge ) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 25—2:10 p.m.]
352. The Italian Ambassador to France, Count Manzoni, who since Italy has accepted the President’s proposal naturally desires to be helpful, made a suggestion today which I am forwarding for your information. He expressed his concern as to whether the French reply to President Hoover’s statement would be upheld tomorrow in the French Chamber of Deputies since in some quarters even this suggested compromise is opposed. So far as I am concerned, and based upon other information received by us and the much more sympathetic [Page 70] attitude of the French newspapers today, I would be indeed surprised if the Government’s reply was not accepted. Nevertheless, if the Laval Government should be overturned any government following it would of course be more hostile. However, Count Manzoni believed that it would be helpful to Briand and Laval in defending their position from the expected attacks if they possessed an acknowledgment from President Hoover of the note which they delivered yesterday. The answer would not need to go into detail but could merely restate the importance of a final understanding between France and the United States and indicate that the United States is ready to make every possible effort consistent with their policy to reach a practical understanding in the interest of the economic solidarity of the world. I repeat that I am sending this suggestion to you simply for consideration, for I assume that some informal reply will be made to the note even before the details are fully discussed.
Similarly the British Ambassador, Lord Tyrrell, in talking over the situation with me last night emphasized in strong terms the need for patience at this time and until the French Parliament has taken action.