500.A15A4/2196a
President Roosevelt to the Chairman of the American Delegation (Davis)7e
Dear Norman: On your departure for Europe I wish not only to reiterate my deep interest in the success of the Disarmament Conference but also to express to you my concern for the future of European peace in the event of failure. Nothing would so help a better world psychology or promote immediate and permanent economic welfare as agreement on immediate, substantial reduction of armaments under adequate supervision and control.
I realize, of course, the technical and political problems involved, but I am satisfied that a sufficient will to solve them will solve them. Looking into the future, it seems to me clear that the risks involved in making such concessions as may be required to secure an agreement are slight in comparison with the risks involved if no agreement is reached.
I hope that our more or less detached position and impartiality in the United States may make it possible for you and your associates to render helpful and effective service. You have done this already.
I feel that if the United States and Great Britain make a joint and earnest effort it will be possible to achieve success. It was for the same reason that I authorized you to support in general the so called MacDonald plan. As you know, the original plan contained several provisions not to our liking without certain modifications, but I felt that broad cooperation between the British and ourselves was possible and practical. I suggest, therefore, that you confer again with Mr. MacDonald and those of his colleagues who are handling the disarmament question with a view of considering the next steps.
Furthermore, I have the feeling that if Messrs. MacDonald, Daladier, Mussolini, and Hitler could get together the perplexing problems could be solved. If as a result of the preliminary conversations you have in Europe you think that a meeting of these Heads of States is feasible I shall be glad to have you, if necessary, use your good offices to bring this about.
One further matter seems at this distance to be fairly clear—the crux of the problems seems to lie mainly between France and Germany. Obviously neither the United States nor Great Britain would want France to disarm if this would mean that Germany would later take advantage of this to seek revenge. Neither do we want to have Germany assert the right to re-arm as a result of failure on the part [Page 210] of the heavily armed nations to take immediate, substantial and constructive steps towards general disarmament. Controlled disarmament and international supervision form the only answer.
Please let me remind you that in offering to go along with such supervision and control I will encounter many objections in the United States. Nevertheless, I am confident that the overwhelming majority of Americans will support me in this if England and the European nations will accept what has today become a necessity.
If the European nations can be freed from the tyranny of fear that now grips them, the whole world will experience a confidence and tranquillity that will lead to a definite and rapid solution of economic and other problems.
I wish you every success in your important mission.
Very sincerely yours,
P. S. If you think it advisable, I have no objection to your showing this personal letter to you to Mr. MacDonald or his disarmament colleagues.
- Photostatic copy obtained from the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, N. Y.↩