724.3415/3717: Telegram (part air)

The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State

90. 1. League authorities have imparted to me in strict confidence the positions which were taken by the states concerned vis-à-vis the embargo proposals of 1933 (Consulate’s 88, May 22, 2 p.m., paragraph 1) as follows: China, Spain, Guatemala, Ireland, Mexico—unconditional acceptance.

China, however, suggested that embargo be provisional and should be lifted as regards the party which might eventually conform to the Covenant.

Panama—with reservation providing for free transit through Panama Canal according to clause 18 of our treaty of November 18, 1903.70

Germany, France, Great Britain, Italy, Norway, Poland and Czechoslovakia, respectively, made their acceptance contingent on the acceptance of the states listed below after each of their names.

Germany—France, Great Britain, the United States, Netherlands, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Lithuania, Luxemburg.

France—Italy, Germany, Great Britain, the United States, Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Austria, Spain, Finland, Switzerland, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Canada.

Great Britain—France, Italy, Germany, the United States, Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Austria, Spain, Finland, Switzerland, Poland, Jugoslavia, Portugal, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru.

Italy—France, Great Britain, the United States, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Czechoslovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Canada. Italy moreover made a special reserve in regard to current contracts and also against the establishment of any system of control.

Norway—France, Italy, Germany, Great Britain, the United States, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Austria, [Page 244] Spain, Switzerland, Poland, Jugoslavia, Portugal, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru.

Poland—France, Italy, Germany, Great Britain, the United States, Norway, Czechoslovakia, Spain, China, Guatemala, Ireland, Mexico, Panama.

Czechoslovakia—France, Italy, Great Britain, the United States, Belgium, Switzerland, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru.

2. The League’s policy in creating the category indicated by the foregoing reference to my telegram No. 88, is to take as a point of departure for the current effort the ground gained by the acceptances secured last year to the embargo proposal. Germany was particularly considered in this connection.

Gilbert