550.S1/922: Telegram

The Chairman of the American Delegation ( Hull ) to the Acting Secretary of State

14. I have just returned after 1 hour with Prime Minister MacDonald at private luncheon. I, at the outset repeated and emphasized the American contention about limiting the session to 2 months; also about further extending tariff truce; also about an agreement of the full Conference in definite concrete terms on as many of the basic problems and remedies requiring international cooperation as could possibly be agreed upon and at as early a stage as possible. MacDonald constantly repeated his Washington talk expressing sympathy for a shorter conference than usual and that he would constantly drive the Conference hard. He indicated general approval of further tariff truce but indicated that it had been already violated in some instances and that the matter should be taken up for discussion before the Conference meets. He assured me that he was absolutely favorable to a clear and ringing declaration of agreement in definite concrete terms on as many of the basic conditions and basic remedies as possible at as early a stage as possible. He expressed the idea that the first day should comprise the speech of the King and himself; that on Monday night there would be an official dinner to the delegates by his Government at which I and a French delegate would respond to address welcoming delegates to the Conference. He suggested that Tuesday and Wednesday should be devoted to general statements by spokesmen for a few of the more important governments. I am expected to make such general statement for our Government on that day. He further suggested that a working committee of [Page 630] three or four with himself as chairman including one American representative should be selected by Monday to meet each day throughout the Conference and clear up all difficulties and in many ways facilitate the despatch of business. He further suggested that one large committee with the most suitable person for chairman should be appointed by Thursday which should then be divided into subcommittees suitable for permanent work on each of the important questions and problems in the agenda or otherwise brought up for consideration. These committees were to undertake the permanent detailed work of the Conference. He repeated that some of the other governments had indicated concern about the attempt to shorten the session of the Conference and that the League of Nations officials had likewise expressed concern and skepticism. I continued to reiterate the extreme urgency of the crisis which imperatively calls for rapid progress. I diplomatically urged that he let some of the American delegation confer with him at each preliminary stage from this day forward about each phase of each of the foregoing steps including time, subject matter, policy and personnel as well as tactics. He indicated whole-hearted disposition to do so. My idea was to discuss personnel of the Small or Steering Committee on the work of the Conference aforesaid and also the personnel of the Large Committee especially as it related to the Chairman of the Full Committee and of the various subcommitties. I made an agreement at his instance with his right-hand man, Hankey,42 for full and detailed discussion with some of our delegation later this afternoon touching all the foregoing phases and certain detailed matters in addition. Our plan is to keep close in touch [with each other?] and with the other key persons at every stage of the proceedings in order that we may render the maximum of service. MacDonald agreed to confer with me freely at frequent intervals in the foregoing connection. He expressed skepticism about the French. I stated to him that our officials at Paris believe that the French in the end really desire comprehensive and basic agreements. Taken altogether the Conference was encouraging save as to the question of its length. I assured MacDonald that while all nations including America had gone to unusual extremes in attempts at self-containment; that a steady campaign for economic reform was being and would be steadily prosecuted in the United States and that in my judgment practical experience would increase the support by our Government of a comprehensive and [workable?] program for business recovery to the extent that international economic cooperation is necessary.

Hull
  1. Telegram in three sections.
  2. Sir Maurice Hankey, personal assistant to Prime Minister MacDonald and secretary to the Cabinet.