500.A15A4 General Committee/914
Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Western European Affairs (Moffat)
[Washington,] May 9,
1934.
I telephoned Mr. Davis and told him:
- (1)
- The President wanted him to go back to Geneva for the meeting of the General Commission on May 29. Mr. Davis said that he was agreeable, but would prefer to sail on May 20, which was a foreign boat, rather than on May 23, which would bring him in after the meeting itself. He would not be able to sail on May 16, the previous sailing of an American ship.
- (2)
- The President felt that we had approached the British as far as we could properly do in connection with the naval talks. In view of their lack of response, we must let the matter rest where it is. Mr. Davis agreed. He asked if I would get in touch with the Navy Department and tell them that owing to the complexities of the political situation in Europe and the Far East, it might be that Britain would not initiate the naval talks that we had anticipated. In that event, they would be postponed until Great Britain made the move. The Navy should remain ready, however, as, if Britain should come across, we would then be prepared to move quickly. If no message is received before Mr. Davis sails, he will, of course, not take Admiral Leigh or Commander Wilkinson with him.
- (3)
- The President wanted to talk over with Norman Davis again before he sailed certain suggestions with regard to German re-armament. It was left that if the White House wanted to see him at any fixed time they would set the date; otherwise, he would come down shortly before sailing.
Pierrepont Moffat