724.3415/3772: Telegram
The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:20 a.m.]
117. Department’s 49, May 31, 8 p.m., second paragraph. Walters saw me late last evening and stated that lack of definite instructions in Geneva of the German position on the arms embargo was most harmful and that in view of the United States now having taken a position on which the Germans appear to be contingent he asked me if I could obtain for the League from the German Consul here information as to Germany’s probable action. I replied that as the German Consul has stated it to me German policy in this matter was concerned with Germany’s relations with the United States and that my informing the League of it which I had been glad to undertake was purely collateral. I thus felt that I could not well pursue the matter further with the Germans. United Press and [New York?] Herald Tribune representatives here had told me that the German Consul had given them the information embodied in my 101, May 29, 11 a.m. Pertinent news accounts now appearing in the American press in Paris render the situation here somewhat confusing.
I naturally surmise that Washington has been in direct touch with Berlin on this subject. Could, however, the German position as it was forecast to me be in some manner authoritatively communicated here it would be as I see it distinctly helpful particularly as so many states have made Germany’s action contingent upon theirs.
German Consul here informing the Embassy that he is without instructions in the premises.