500.A15A4/1744: Telegram
The Acting Chairman of the American Delegation (Gibson) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 8—6:50 p.m.]
558. Henderson has for some time been working on a draft convention in the belief that it might be usefully brought in at some stage of [Page 26] the proceedings. Today in conversation he outlined to Wilson and me his conception of the political undertakings which non-European states and states non-members of the League of Nations would be called upon to assume to supplement a European scheme of security. He has reduced to writing as a “suggested basis of discussion” a certain number of items giving his personal conception of our role in the general scheme. While this is his personal plan it would seem approximately to represent the general idea of the delegations here as to how we could satisfactorily supplement a European security scheme. Henderson’s document is as follows:
“Suggested Basis of Discussion
I
The High Contracting Parties, anxious to further the cause of disarmament by increasing the spirit of mutual confidence between the nations of Europe by means of a declaration expressly forbidding resort to force in the circumstances in which the Pact of Paris forbids resort to war,
Hereby solemnly reaffirm that they will not in any event resort, as between themselves, to force as an instrument of national policy.
II
- 1.
- The High Contracting Parties further declare that any resort to force in breach of the Pact of Paris of 1928 shall be regarded as affecting the vital interests of every High Contracting Party, and every High Contracting Party shall regard such action as a violation of its international rights.
- [2.]
- The High Contracting Parties not involved in the conflict undertake to meet without delay in order to advise the disputants as to the most effective method of terminating the dispute, or promptly to lay the matter before the public opinion of the world.
- 3.
- (a). The High Contracting Parties agree that if any of them should recognize that a breach of the Pact of Paris has occurred such party shall in no way seek to exercise the rights of neutrality or to give support to its nationals in trading with the nationals of the aggressor state.
- (b). It shall not in any way impede the efforts of other High Contracting Parties to prevent economic and financial relations between the nationals of the aggressor state and the nationals of other countries.
- (c). It shall not impede in any way the efforts of other High Contracting Parties to prevent the supply to the aggressor state by nationals of other countries of arms, munitions, and other war supplies.
- (d). It shall itself refrain from supplying arms, munitions, or other necessary war supplies to the aggressor state. It shall likewise refrain from facilitating loans or granting financial guarantees for the purchase of arms, munitions, or other necessary war supplies by the aggressor state.
- 4.
- The High Contracting Parties agree that they will in no case recognize any treaty, agreement or de facto territorial demonstration or other arrangement brought about by action which constitutes a violation of international obligations”.
Henderson states that this document would be completed by a “definition of the aggressor” which he has not yet satisfactorily worked out but which would also be of general application.
At the rate the work is now proceeding it is to be anticipated that the Political Commission will reach this subject in about a week’s time and we should therefore be glad to have your guidance as soon as possible.