500.A15A4/816: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Acting Chairman of the American Delegation (Gibson)
1. Your telegrams No. 2, January 31, 11 p.m., and No. 3, January 31, 12 p.m. In view of the events of the past few weeks I feel that it would be a mistake to retain the introductory paragraph you drafted, 1) because it countenances and generally accepts repudiation of obligations as a principle and 2) because it implies taking a position in relation to European disagreements which we ought to avoid at this stage at least. (See my telegram No. 102, September 10, 11 p.m., to Wilson24). Please therefore begin the speech as originally cabled you.
In the sentence in paragraph 2 reading “our conference must not be diverted from achieving success on the vital questions by minor differences in the background” please substitute the words “of a technical nature” for the words “in the background.”
Otherwise I approve all the changes you have suggested.
The Department will release the text to the press here on receipt of a flash from Geneva next Monday or Tuesday that you are addressing [Page 20] the Conference. Please arrange with the representative of the Associated Press to send flash “For McDermott State Department Shoot”.