793.94/2169: Telegram
The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 16—10:37 a.m.]
205. Consulate’s 204, October 16, 1 p.m. The following is the text of the invitation addressed to you by the President of the Council (translated in the Consulate).
“I have the honor to inform you that the Council of the League of Nations has approved today the terms of the following proposal which I had the honor to make to it in my capacity as President of the Council.
‘In the course of the discussion the opinion has been expressed that the very important question before the Council concerns the fulfillment of obligations arising not only from the Covenant of the League of Nations but also from the Pact of Paris.
[Page 202]This opinion is certainly well founded, since, in accordance with article 2 of that Pact:
“The high contracting parties agree that the settlement or solution of all disputes or conflicts of whatever nature or of whatever origin they may be, which may arise among them, shall never be sought except by pacific means.”
Foremost among the signatories of the Pact of Paris appear the United States of America. The United States were one of the proponents of the Pact, and I may be allowed to recall that I had the honor to be associated with the then Secretary of State of the United States as joint author. In consequence, the United States may be regarded as being especially interested in insuring a settlement of the present dispute by pacific means.
Moreover the Government of the United States, with which communications regarding the dispute before the Council have already been exchanged, has expressed its whole-hearted sympathy with the attitude of the League of Nations, and has affirmed its desire to reenforce the action of League.
I feel confident that I shall be meeting the wishes of my colleagues in proposing that we should invite the Government of the United States to be associated with our efforts by sending a representative to sit at the Council table so as to be in a position to express an opinion as to how, either in view of the present situation or of its future development, effect can best be given to the provisions of the Pact. By this means also the opportunity will be afforded him of following our deliberations on the problem as a whole.
I am sure that any action that might be taken under the Pact could not but strengthen the efforts which are now being made by the Council in accordance with the obligations imposed upon it by the Covenant of the League of Nations to effect the peaceful settlement of the problem under discussion.’
In consequence, I have the honor to address to the Government of the United States the invitation contained in the said proposal.
Please accept, Mr. Secretary of State, the assurance of my high consideration.”
Text of my acceptance will follow.