500.A15A4/2594: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Chairman of the American Delegation (Davis)
Washington, October 25, 1934—7 p.m.
7. Your 5, October 22, 7 p.m.
- (1)
- We are in entire agreement with you and Wilson that our efforts in the Disarmament Conference should now be directed towards securing a satisfactory international agreement dealing with the manufacture of and traffic in arms.
- (2)
- We have not as yet had time to complete our study of the texts submitted in your despatch 103 of October 3,87 and have not yet even received the draft articles dealing with categories and supervision. It must therefore be understood that in the following paragraphs we have in mind the problem as seen in broad outline and not any specific text or draft.
- (3)
- We agree that it would be a wise plan for you to discuss the question frankly with the British and with Henderson and instruct Wilson at an early occasion to do likewise in Paris with the French authorities.
- (4)
- We agree with the analysis found in Wilson’s 101,88 that the greatest obstacles to success will undoubtedly arise from the attitudes of Japan, Italy and Germany.
- (5)
- If you find the French and British agreeable to our general thesis, you might wish to take the matter up informally with Matsudaira,89 either on your own initiative, or jointly with the British, provided you are convinced that Matsudaira could appreciate that the subject had no connection with the present naval conversations.90 After consulting the French, and if the idea commends itself, Wilson might consider continuing to Borne where he could show the Ambassador the dossier to date and with him discuss the general problem with the Italian authorities.
- (6)
- The situation with regard to Germany is more difficult, partly owing to Germany’s absence from the Disarmament Conference and partly owing to the pertinent provisions of the Treaty of Versailles. We should appreciate any recommendations you might have as to the best way of interesting the German authorities.
- (7)
- As to the tactics you recommend in paragraph 2 of your telegram under reference, notably your suggestion of a “blunt statement” at the next Bureau meeting, we are not ready to commit ourselves thus early. It will not be necessary to make up our minds on this point until shortly before the meeting of the Bureau, when a decision will largely be governed by the current European political situation, but we see no harm in your indicating to Henderson that you are seriously considering making such a move.
Phillips