500.A15A4 Permanent Disarmament Commission/18: Telegram
The American Delegate (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 12—12:20 p.m.]
449. My 448, November 12, 1 p.m. At a meeting of the Bureau this morning reservations were made by Italy as to paragraph numbered 3 of the text transmitted in my telegram under reference. I stated that since this debate far exceeded in scope what we had contemplated in the case of one special aspect of the disarmament program I was constrained to make a general reservation on behalf of my Government. Eden made similar reservation for British Government followed by the Russian delegate who said he needed to consult his Government whereupon Massigli and Bourquin urged that no action be taken on this document at the moment. The Chairman, Henderson, then stated that no action would be taken and further discussion on this question would be postponed until the special committee had worked on the technical problems presented under point 2 section 4 of the conclusions of the report (CD 142).
On the whole this procedure will be beneficial since it will give them perhaps 2 weeks to talk over the matter here and to consult with you as to the attitude we should take. I call attention to the fact that the three paragraphs under number 2 of the text telegraphed bring up squarely the question of the exercise of neutral rights. I have explained to Massigli that an endeavor to push us on this point before responsible private conversations can be had as to the broad lines of the French plan would be a mistake and I think he realizes it.
Now that the problem is presented to us in more concrete form by this document it would be of the greatest help if I could have your criticism article by article since the whole scope of the question of sanctions, consultation and neutral rights is thus brought before us in a form under which we can isolate the question for discussion.
Politis made a report in introducing this document. I requested that this be distributed verbatim and shall at once mail his statement when available.