500.A15A4/1528: Telegram
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Mellon) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 14—6:32 p.m.]
296. From Norman Davis. I lunched with the French Ambassador today. Others present were Herriot, MacDonald, Baldwin, Simon, Neville and Austen Chamberlain, Londonderry, Vansittart and several Frenchmen. On my arrival Herriot informed me that he had reached an agreement with the British for proposed conversations at Geneva, that Italy had accepted unconditionally but that Germany had just refused. At luncheon I asked Simon why the Germans, who had previously accepted unconditionally the invitation to confer, had now refused. He said that Germany had given no reason for its refusal but that on the side they explain that at present it is politically impossible. Simon’s opinion is that whenever the Germans think the French will refuse they accept and when the French accept the Germans refuse.
After luncheon MacDonald called me aside and said that he was not much worried about the German refusal because once having accepted in principle Germany puts herself in an indefensible position by refusing to hold conversations on the ground that she does not like the place of meeting. He then said he wanted to think very carefully what to do next and then he wants us to have a talk. I told him that it was my impression that the best procedure now would be for France and Italy to bury their differences and then for us to proceed with the work at Geneva by agreeing upon a comprehensive substantial reduction in armaments in fulfillment of the moral obligation to effect a general reduction and then as security the Germans to sign a general convention. If the Germans were offered a genuine measure of satisfaction in the general convention it would strengthen moderate opinion in Germany and if they refuse public opinion outside could make itself felt. He said that this struck him favorably but that he wanted to think it over further.
[Page 463]MacDonald asked how I was getting along on the naval negotiations and said that while the Tories say they are favorably disposed to a reduction in armaments they do not do anything practical about it but that next week we would see what could be done. Baldwin said he wanted to have a talk with me and we have agreed to meet early next week. At luncheon I sat next to Neville Chamberlain who said he understood I had had a very satisfactory talk with the First Lord of the Admiralty and expressed the hope we would be able to reach a satisfactory agreement about the Navy. I told him I thought it was a matter which concerned him very much as Chancellor of the Exchequer.
He said it did and he wanted to have a talk with me. My information is that it will be advisable for me to talk with Baldwin and Chamberlain as their support is necessary if we are to have any understanding on the Navy.
Before leaving I had a further talk with Herriot and asked him what he thought about some such procedure on disarmament as I suggested to MacDonald and he said it struck him favorably.
In reporting the above to the Embassy this afternoon it was thought wise to check up with the Germans and Atherton went to see Bernstorff who gave the following information. Bernstorff called by appointment at 9:45 this morning on Simon who stated that when Herriot reached London he laid before the Prime Minister a disarmament plan which MacDonald after reading said he was not prepared to discuss but rather preferred to concentrate on plans for a meeting of the four powers with an American observer where they might discuss disarmament. Herriot expressed an unwillingness to come to London but was willing to attend such a conference in Geneva including not only the four powers and an American observer but various other military countries including the members of the Little Entente. MacDonald explained he was willing to waive London but refused to consider a larger conference than the four powers immediately concerned and an American observer. After considerable discussions it was agreed that the British should present this plan to the Germans and urge their consent. At the same time Simon was seeing Bernstorff, the British Chargé d’Affaires was interviewing Neurath in Berlin. Simon urged Bernstorff to point out to his Government (1) that the British had succeeded in eliminating from the conference those smaller powers who would coyly support any French view; (2) that Norman Davis had stated the American Government would prefer Geneva as a meeting place since it obviated introducing new factors or making new decisions at this particular moment; (3) if the Germans accepted MacDonald personally would [Page 464] attend the conference in Geneva. Bernstorff talked on the telephone with Neurath who positively refused to consider Geneva as a meeting place. In the minds of the Germans this would be a back door entrance to the disarmament discussions which they had just publicly announced they were unwilling to attend. Such procedure was not only impossible but particularly so at this pre-election moment. However, Neurath realized the French unwillingness to proceed to London and suggested The Hague as a compromise or, as a last resort and final accommodation, the Germans would reluctantly consent to go to Lausanne. The German Chargé d’Affaires told Atherton he might inform me of the above.
The implication Simon gave that I had said we would attend a meeting in Geneva was not quite justified. I have carefully refrained from making any commitment but following receipt of your 213, October 3, 6 p.m., I did say that although our attendance would depend upon circumstances I did feel that Geneva would be the most logical place to hold such conversations as a part of the General Disarmament Conference. I have never suggested the possibility of our attending in the role of observer and would not advise our doing so. If the conversations are held as part of the Disarmament Conference we should in my opinion be there on the same basis as the others if we attend. [Davis.]