500.A15A4 General Committee/689: Telegram
The Ambassador in Germany ( Dodd ) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received December 10—1:45 p.m.]
201. For the President and Acting Secretary of State. I learned from the British Ambassador at noon today that the French refused to accede to Hitler proposal described in my telegram of December 9 and sent challenging demand to the Chancellor here. This was not delivered because Hitler purposely [?] left town for 4 days. Situation is very acute.
The British Ambassador asked me if the President could give moral support to British-German pact for 10-year peace with international armament supervision. I indicated German proposal seemed best thing offered since my arrival here and hoped French could be induced to cooperate but I then asked the Ambassador whether the British Government could not support the United States and Russia in maintaining peace in the Far East and stressed importance of British-American-Russian cooperation. He indicated personal approval, said he would wire his Government although he intimated that (did not positively assert) English had promised Japan support in Manchuria.
The English are very anxious lest France show belligerent attitude in a day or two. I reemphasized importance of preventing war in the Far East and procuring a general pact for limited armament and general supervisory commission which Hitler is willing to accept. It seems to me the opportunity for a world-wide pact is great.