500.A15A4 Steering Committee/460: Telegram

The Ambassador in Great Britain ( Bingham ) to the Secretary of State

510. From Hugh Wilson. Your 351, September 4, 6 p.m. I have seen Henderson and Eden.

1.
Henderson has received a letter from President Roosevelt which he called “most stimulating and helpful”. He hopes his duties will permit him to go to America some time and see the President.
2.
With reference the matter contained in first two paragraphs your 351, Henderson states that he has never explained to anyone his decision to postpone the meeting with reference to Mr. Davis’ convenience; that the delay was obviously in order to give more time for the negotiations relative to the Eastern Locarno and to render possible the return of Germany to the Conference. What may have been said at the Secretariat he does not, of course, know but he has always talked to the press himself along the foregoing lines.
3.
Henderson plans to proceed to Geneva shortly to remain 2 or 3 days in order to have conversations similar to the one he held with me this morning in an endeavor to get the general view of the Conference as to when the meeting will be called. Henderson explained that during the latter part of September and early October he will be obliged to be in England; that Simon and Eden will be very much occupied through the middle of October. Henderson feels that there is every advantage in delaying the Bureau even to the end of October or early in November in order to give time for the Eastern Locarno negotiations, which he hopes will be stimulated by the entry of Russia into the League. As will be seen he entirely concurs with Davis’ views as to the undesirability of a meeting until at least reasonable time is given for the negotiations to be carried forward.
4.
Eden, who has been on vacation, stated that he was not in close touch with all details. He informed me, however, that neither Germany [Page 146] nor Poland had yet answered the representations made by Great Britain on the Eastern Locarno matter immediately subsequent to Barthou’s visit to London. Eden stated that Great Britain “had gone all out” on the Eastern Locarno with both Poland and Germany but fearing an immediate unfavorable reaction had urged them to take their time in deciding this matter and in giving a reply. Eden felt that the time had now come to press for a reply. Henderson was obviously familiar with this situation and no doubt it influenced his consideration of a date for the Bureau meeting.
5.
Final paragraph of your 351. Since the date and character of the next meeting of the Bureau are so indefinite I could only recommend as to whether Mr. Davis should come when more precise knowledge is available.

I plan to leave London Thursday next for Geneva. Cipher text delegation Geneva. [Wilson.]

Bingham