500.A15A4/1819: Telegram
The Chargé in France (Marriner) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7:30 p.m.]
171. Personal for the Secretary from Norman Davis. I realize that in my 163 and 164, April 16th, I have raised a rather serious, contentious question, and at a time when the President and you are occupied with so many important pressing matters as to make it difficult to give at once to that presented by me the full consideration necessary to a final decision. However, the Disarmament Conference [Page 101] has now reached a critical stage which made it necessary to present to you this particular problem in all of its aspects in order that you might at least begin to formulate your views as to the position we shall ultimately take. The adoption of the policy suggested by me would unquestionably mean taking a more advanced, and also, I think, a more constructive position than that heretofore taken in disarmament, but the limited progress so far made towards general disarmament indicates clearly that it is only by attacking the problem in a new and bolder spirit that we are to get satisfactory results.
In case you agree as to the soundness and feasibility of my suggestions it would be necessary, of course, to prepare the ground before definitely committing ourselves. You would also, I assume, want to talk the matter over with Senator Pittman41 beforehand with a view of insuring his active support later on. I would, however, appreciate an early indication of your reaction. [Davis.]
- Key Pittman of Nevada, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.↩