500.A15A4/1590: Telegram
The American Delegate (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 1—6 p.m.]
427. From Davis. Drummond who has visited Berlin recently told me he was convinced by talks with von Papen and Neurath that they sincerely desire to reach an early agreement with France and Neurath is ready to come to Geneva on any justifiable pretext in order to begin conversations. He will in any event come for the Council meeting on the 14th which, however, will probably be postponed to the 21st and had the intention then of entering into such conversations. On account of the delay in the Council meeting it may be possible to find some way to get Neurath here next week. This will be discussed with Simon and Boncour who arrive Thursday.84 The Germans are in any event ready to go to Lausanne and Drummond thought that might be possible by having Henderson there to sit in on the conversations so as to get tied up with the Disarmament Conference. I told him that it seemed to me childish and evasive to meet in Lausanne and that after the German elections are over it would be better just to ask Neurath openly and frankly without any attempt to agree upon the conditions under which he will meet to come [Page 473] here to talk over with the other four principal powers the question of Germany reentering the Disarmament Conference. The new French plan85 which has been favorably received in Berlin eases the way for Germany to meet here.
I am convinced from my recent talk with Herriot that he has made a tremendous decision and that is to take substantial steps in the investigation and to make every effort to bring peace in Europe. Aubert is to give us tonight or tomorrow the full details of the French plan. There will be parts of it which will present difficulties to us but it seems to represent such an advance in French thinking that I believe that you will feel disposed to make every effort as the negotiations go on to meet them as far as possible. [Davis.]