500.A15A4/2610: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the American Delegate (Wilson)
456. Your 948, November 20, 4 p.m. We are unable to see any advantage in submitting comments on the Russian proposal for a Permanent Peace Conference at this time. (1) There is always the possibility that the idea may die of inanition; (2) there is no reason to antagonize the Russian delegation at this particular moment when we were anxious for their support of our Draft Convention on Arms; (3) there would be plenty of time when the subject is actually up for consideration to explain why we would not join the proposed Permanent Peace Conference. If you do not agree and see some compelling reason to present a draft reply in the near future, please summarize your reasons briefly.