550.S1/1125: Telegram

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

112. For the President. Following resolution adopted by Bureau or Steering Committee of yesterday:

“Whereas the Bureau is firmly determined to proceed with the work of the Conference to the utmost possible extent and as rapidly as possible and,

Whereas on account of circumstances which have recently arisen the countries on the gold standard find themselves obligated to declare that for the time being it is impossible for them to take part in any discussions of monetary questions.

The Bureau agrees unanimously to:

(a)
request each subcommittee to meet as soon as possible to draw up a list of the questions which can in these circumstances be usefully studied by it;
(b)
meet as soon as the reports of the subcommittees have been received in order to make recommendations as to the arrangements which should be made for the further business of the Conference”.

The resolution means that as to opinion of Bureau the entire work of the Conference according to agenda should go forward as rapidly as possible. The second whereas was simply to give the small group of gold countries the chance to make their reservation from the plan of the Conference to proceed with entire agenda. The regular subcommittees on financial and monetary subjects will probably report virtually all topics listed on agenda to the Bureau on Monday with minority reports by French group including Little Entente largely excluding monetary topics. The Bureau will then doubtless agree and announce that the other 60 countries represented shall be at full liberty to consider any and all topics listed on the agenda but with the privilege of the gold standard groups and any other of their supporters declining to sit in and join in consideration of any of most of the so-called monetary topics. This would make it possible for the other 60 nations to reach agreements as to most important matters embraced in agenda both monetary and economic with the minority group of nations first agreeing in part or remaining aloof.

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Many of us are doing all possible to develop renewed interest in full functions of Conference and with some progress. The French group seem to be doing all possibly to obstruct and bring an end to Conference as early as possible. I am suggesting that other delegations having our view should emphasize it publicly over weekend. British Government and entire British Dominions in strong cooperation today. Also Scandinavia, Mexico and other countries. The Little Entente will naturally be pulled in the other direction. Any very definite and concrete instructions on any phase of agenda will be welcome. The French group continue extremely obstinate today. The fact that so many important delegations on yesterday asserted their earnest desire for the continuation of Conference prevents any charge that the Conference is being continued largely on account of requests of our Government.

Hull