740.0011 Mutual Guarantee (Eastern Locarno)/8
The Ambassador in Germany ( Dodd ) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 17.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to my despatch No. 948 of June 20, entitled “Russian-German Relations”, in which reference was made to the suggestion of a pact of non-aggression, consultation and mutual assistance between Russia, Germany, the border states—including Finland and Poland and the Little Entente. The information given in that despatch was derived from the Soviet Embassy in Berlin.
On a recent visit at the Foreign Office in connection with other matters, the occasion was improved to learn the German version of this affair. It was stated by the competent official that the French Ambassador approached the Foreign Office with the statement that Mr. Litvinov, whose visit was to take place in a few days, would propose [Page 494] such a pact. When, however, Mr. Litvinov came, he indicated that the idea was a French one. France, according to the Embassy’s informant, had at one time considered joining the pact, but later thought merely to guarantee it.
The German Government was not particularly interested in the parentage of the proposed treaty. It felt, however, that a pledge of mutual assistance to so many countries might involve it in unforeseeable complications and moreover it is not in favor of policies suggesting pre-war alliances. Asked as to the attitude of the other countries the Foreign Office indicated that both Poland and Finland were opposed to any such pact and that the Baltic States were less than lukewarm with the exception of Lithuania, which was in favor, and also Czechoslovakia.
Respectfully yours,