600A15A4/1479: Telegram
The American Delegate (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 26—7:43 p.m.]
389. Supplementing my 383, September 23, 11 p.m., Simon again reverted to his analysis of the German situation and repeated that he was definitely in favor of point 2 but that the French were making objections. Concerning point 3 he had not definitely made up his mind as to whether Germany could be permitted certain types of the prohibited weapons which may be permitted to other powers as a result of the treaty. He himself has reached the conclusion that without concession on this point Germany will not reenter the discussions or sign an eventual treaty. Others beside Sir John have mentioned this demand of Germany for “sample types” of weapons [Page 447] and it is one on which we may be called upon soon to express an opinion privately if not publicly.
In this connection Sir John pointed out that it is inconceivable that the treaty will adopt the criteria of Versailles in all respects of qualitative disarmament, that it was obvious that we were not going to scrap all our battleships and it was obvious that France at least was not going to reduce all its mobile guns to 105 millimeters. It seemed highly improbable that all the nations would do away with all military aviation.
As to point 4 that is definitely excluded.
Sir John stated that it would be of the highest value to have the benefit of your advice and urged me to request it from you.
Please read this telegram in connection with my 383.
You may care to consider whether any views you may express to Simon should also be made available privately to the other interested parties if they ask me about your attitude.