793.94/2795: Telegram
The Chargé in France (Shaw) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 20—12:55 p.m.]
771. From Ambassador Dawes: In an interview with Briand, I fully and satisfactorily explained to him the United States position in accordance with your 575, November 19, 5 p.m. The discussion was friendly, and I felt free also to give my own views on the local [Page 513] situation in Paris. I remarked that Briand knew as well as did I that my present method of conferring with Council members individually on matters mutually interesting and concerning the United States and the League of Nations was in fact the only constructive and useful method of conference, since the discussions of the Council’s private meetings were available to the press as freely as were the results of a public meeting.
Complete approval was expressed by Briand of the general attitude of the United States as outlined to him by me. I told him that public reaction to the cooperation of the United States and the League in the interests of peace would eventually be based upon their respectively coordinated acts rather than upon press discussion of lesser incidents. Both the League and the United States must steer not by the winds but by the compass, and Briand agreed with this. This Government now is in a position to determine its cooperative course by clearly and definitely stating the understanding that the United States retains its independence of judgment and action.
The matter of a public statement by me was not discussed with Briand, as it appeared absolutely essential to me for the best interests of the American position both here and at home that this position be clarified, and I desired to reserve my independence in deciding about the issuance of a statement. Accordingly I have given the press a statement which is identical with that suggested in your 575 [576], November 19, 6 p.m. [Dawes.]