Office of the Historian

500.A15A4/2281: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Chairman of the American Delegation (Davis)

Washington, October 24, 1933—3 p.m.

383. I assume that with the fall of the French Government18 any new developments in disarmament will automatically be delayed.

Frankly I feel that the course of action you have suggested in your 759, October 22, 8 p.m., of setting up a committee to bring the British draft up to date in the light of recent negotiations has certain dangers. It might well be construed in Germany as part of an effort to prepare a treaty to be presented on a “take it or leave it” basis, and if thus construed would not facilitate matters at this juncture. In any event I continue to feel that it would be inadvisable to sponsor such a course of action and that our wisest policy would be to maintain a passive attitude in line with the second part of your statement of October 16 until the situation in Europe has clarified itself further.

Hull
  1. October 24, Edouard Daladier (First Ministry); succeeded on October 27 by the First Ministry of Albert Sarraut.↩