740.0011 Mutual Guarantee (Eastern Locarno)/165
The Ambassador in Germany (Dodd) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 10.]
Sir: Adverting to my despatch No. 2215 of August 13, 1935, setting forth that the British Embassy had approached the German Government in a renewed attempt to procure some kind of an East pact based on the statement of the German Government, made at the time of the Stresa Conference, that it would not object to other nations, signatories of a non-aggression pact to which it was a party, making mutual assistance pacts as between themselves, I have the honor to report that the German Government has now made a reply63 to the effect that it will be unable to reach a decision in this matter until after the period of holidays, which presumably means another six or eight weeks.
Commenting upon this reply, an official of the Foreign Office intimated that while the holiday session [season] was actually the principal reason of the postponement, there was also no reason why, just at the time when Italy is apparently doing its utmost to break down the principle of collective security, Germany should take the lead in endorsing the same. It was also indicated that there exists a certain current of opinion here in the sense that the declaration abovementioned, made at the time of the Stresa meeting, has been modified by the subsequent signing of the Franco-Russian Treaty for mutual assistance. A decision in this respect, however, the official said, had not yet been made.
It is, of course, quite natural that this Government should not wish to make any major foreign commitments until the Ethiopian situation has been cleared up.
The official stated that, while—judging by the newspapers—there seems to be great activity in regard to the Danubian Pact, Germany has not recently been approached with respect thereto. As of possible interest, there is enclosed the translation of an article from the well informed Neue Zürcher Zeitung,64 which illustrates the divergent interests of various Danubian Powers in regard to the whole question.
Respectfully yours,
Counselor of Embassy
- British Cmd. 5143, p. 56. On September 16, 1935, the German Foreign Minister informed the British Ambassador that Germany did not propose to make any further reply to the British with regard to an Eastern Pact until “quieter times” had come (ibid., p. 57). No further communication had been made when German military forces occupied the Rhineland, March 7, 1936.↩
- Not printed.↩