500.A15A4/1634: Telegram
The American Delegate (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:05 p.m.]
467. From Davis. Neurath dined with me alone last night and in discussing disarmament he recognized the importance from the point of view of self-interest of having France and Germany reconcile their differences. I agreed and told him that even if the principle of equality were agreed upon it was important to avoid the subsequent danger of a different interpretation and that it was essential therefore to know in their agreement that they were talking about the same thing.
Von Neurath had made a rough note of what Germany means and what she is disposed to do which follows herewith.
“Germany to receive full equality of rights in matters relating to national defense and armaments, in accordance with the following principles:
I
- 1.
- The equality of rights includes the right to possess all categories of arms which are not prohibited by the new disarmament convention to the other signatories of that convention.
- 2.
- The future disarmament convention to be concluded takes the place of part V of the Treaty of Versailles. It shall be valid for a period of 5 years and shall contain an undertaking by the signatories to enter upon negotiations, in due course before the expiration of the old disarmament convention embodying further reduction of armaments.
- 3.
- Either:
- (a)
- The duration of service of the Reichswehr will be reduced and
- (b)
- Germany will be given the right to set up a force of volunteers of 40,000 men
- or:
- Germany will be allowed to organize her army according to the same military system as the other European continental powers.
- 4.
- Germany shall have the right to organize the supply and upkeep of Reichswehr and navy material in the same way as the other powers.
II
- 1.
- In the case of solution I, 3 (a) and (b), Germany undertakes not to increase the Reichswehr for the duration of the first disarmament convention (5 years) beyond its present strength of seven divisions and three cavalry divisions.
- 2.
- Germany waives already now her claim to any aggressive arms which the other powers undertake to abolish within a short period of transition.
- 3.
- Germany undertakes not to increase in the next 5 years her present normal budget (725,000,000 marks annually).
- 4.
- Germany will join a no-force pact.
- If no disarmament convention should be concluded by July first 1933 the above agreement shall become null and void and all parties to it shall regain freedom of action.[”]
I raised the question of the difficulty which France would face in agreeing to the cancellation of part V of the Treaty of Versailles for a 5-year contract only. Neurath indicated that they might be willing to agree to a longer period.
After explaining the unwillingness of the United States to bring pressure to bear on either party in what refers to the Treaty of Versailles, I added that we do hope that they can reconcile their differences and would be glad to be helpful in any way in accomplishing this; that our interest lies in general reduction and that we were opposed to any increase in armaments.
Concerning the questions that have been raised over Germany’s right to possess all categories of arms not prohibited in the treaty to other powers Neurath indicated they would not insist upon full exercise of this right providing the principle were accepted. He stated categorically that Germany has no desire or intention to rearm but that if she should forego completely the right to rearm at the expiration of such a treaty she would have no influence to bring to bear to secure a further reduction of armaments. Such a reduction is her real desire and Neurath considers it essential to European peace.
[Page 475]I impressed upon him that Germany and France each have more to gain from the success of the Disarmament Conference and more to lose from its failure than any other country. Neurath agreed and reiterated Germany’s earnest desire to contribute to such a solution. [Davis.]