500.A15A4 General Committee/383: Telegram
The Chairman of the American Delegation (Davis) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:30 p.m.]
643. At the General Commission this afternoon11 Henderson read both my letter transmitting the President’s declaration and official text of the declaration itself explaining that he had noted with gratification that several governments have already accepted the principles outlined by the President. He expressed himself most effusively regarding the President’s action which he regarded as a decisive step forward. Henderson then referred to Hitler’s speech and said that he gained great hope from this reasoned explanation of Germany’s case noting in particular that equality of rights was to be obtained not through rearmament but through disarmament by progressive stages. Henderson concluded his speech with an earnest appeal for a prompt and successful conclusion of the Conference and explained his desire [Page 153] that other nations would likewise accept the compromise proposals foreshadowed in the President’s plan.
Nadolny and subsequent speakers expressed profound appreciation of the President’s message both the German and the British delegates stating their determination to do everything at once to carry out his proposals. In formulating the present attitude of Germany Nadolny explained that the German people demanded two specific results from the Conference: security for Germany by means of disarmament of the heavily armed states and the achievement of equality of rights for Germany. He made the significant and important constructive statement accepting on behalf of his Government the British draft as a basis not only for discussion but also for the future disarmament convention. Any modifications in this plan which Germany might now have to propose he stated would be governed by this acceptance of the draft as forming the main outline for the treaty.
After paying the most hearty tribute to the President’s recent action the British delegate stated the opinion that the immediate object of the General Commission was to determine what agreement could be reached upon the two sections in part II of the British plan. He hoped that a prompt decision could be taken to agree to accept the general form of the proposals in these sections and thus to provide a readier means of accomplishing the remainder of the task of the Conference.
Massigli declared in a brief speech that just as the declaration of the German Chancellor had showed his readiness to continue to cooperate in the work of the Conference so France was prepared to proceed and to do so rapidly. The problem for decisions based upon an exact appreciation of realities had now arrived.
The Commission decided to begin tomorrow with the full discussion of part II. Henderson explained that if any desire was manifested to refer to other sections, notably part I, such references would not be excluded from the debate. He stressed the need for haste as only 19 working days were left in which to take the big decisions before the Economic Conference convened. He asked the General Commission for permission to send a message to the President expressing the full sympathy and appreciation of his message combined with a determination to carry out its principles. This was granted.
The President’s action undoubtedly had a most profound and happy effect upon the reconvening of the Commission today. It was enthusiastically regarded as a great contribution toward the success of our efforts here.
Henderson, whom I saw after the meeting, is anxious for me to open the discussion on Monday in order to maintain the momentum which the Conference has gained through events of today and preceding [Page 154] days. I have acquiesced and will telegraph subsequently the text12 of my remarks for simultaneous release as you have suggested.