500.A15A4 General Committee/481: Telegram

The Ambassador in France (Straus) to the Acting Secretary of State

276. From Davis. Thanks for your 168, June 13, 6 p.m.69 I have been giving further consideration to the situation as regards disarmament about which I desire to consult the President and you.

As the result of the conversations held here between the British, French and ourselves on June 8th (see my 260, June 8, 5 [9] p.m.71) the full memorandum of which should reach you tomorrow, I am more hopeful than ever as to the ultimate success of the Disarmament Conference. We have, however, reached a point where certain steps of a political character affecting Europe appear to be a necessary preliminary to final success and it might be premature to attempt now to press the French for definite decisions. In this connection I have in mind that following the initialing of the Four Power Pact72 it is quite obviously Daladier’s73 intention to attempt to reach political agreement with Italy and following that with Germany. Further it now seems possible that the English action on debts74 may permit France to take action which will bring Daladier and Herriot75 together [Page 193] and this would result in constituting the type of French Government which could take courageous decisions in disarmament.

Finally having now made our position in disarmament clear we should not assume the responsibility of attempting to force the French into a disarmament treaty or of letting public opinion here in France gain the impression that France is making concessions in disarmament not because her best interests demand but because of American insistence.

Under the circumstances we guarantee that it would be better strategy for us to stand upon the position that we have taken particularly in our last meeting here that we have stated what we are prepared to do and that the French must now decide for themselves what they feel is in their best interests.

I feel that if I remain here in Paris or even near Paris the French will gain the impression that I am anxiously awaiting further action from them and by my presence attempting to bring a somewhat unwelcome pressure to bear upon them. Under the circumstances I am inclined to believe that it would appear best for me to take advantage of 2 or 3 weeks interval before the July meeting of the General Commission to run home for a quick visit.

This would have the advantage of permitting me to consult the President and you and incidentally I should like to attend the wedding of my son, the date for which has been held in abeyance pending a decision as to whether I can get back before the first of July.

If the President and you concur I would plan to sail Sunday on the Bremen because of the time saved thereby which would permit me to get back here shortly after July 3. Further there is no American boat available until next Thursday. If there is any difficulty about my taking the Bremen I will pay my own expenses.

If I sail Sunday I may possibly spend Saturday in London to discuss disarmament matters with Henderson76 and the British and see Secretary Hull. As matters now stand I do not think a longer stay there now would be necessary or desirable. If Henderson should later arrange meetings in London during my absence Wilson would be available to attend.

If I return I would give out the following statement here and suggest that a corresponding statement be given out in Washington.

“Mr. Norman Davis stated today that he was returning to the United States for a short visit sailing on June 18th. He was returning to report to the President on the work of the Disarmament Conference and to attend the wedding of his son. He expects to return to Geneva to participate in the meeting of the General Commission in July.”76a

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Wilson, who has conferred here today, concurs in above.

In view of the very short time available I would greatly appreciate a reply today. Unless advised to the contrary by cable I will telephone you this afternoon Washington time. Norman Davis.

Straus
  1. Telegram in four sections.
  2. Not printed.
  3. Ante, p. 190.
  4. At Rome, June 7, 1933; for correspondence relating to the negotiations, See pp. 396 ff.
  5. French Prime Minister.
  6. For correspondence regarding certain intergovernmental debts, see pp. 826 ff.
  7. Leader of the French Radical Socialist Party; Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Chamber of Deputies.
  8. President of the Conference.
  9. For text of statement as given out, see Department of State, Press Releases, June 17, 1933, p. 463.