765.84/1752: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Bingham)
299. Your 513, October 11, 6 p.m. I have studied carefully your report of the Foreign Secretary’s statements and your response and have noted his statement that he would like to have any further views of ours at as early a date as possible.
We have consistently been favorably disposed in principle toward the idea of calling attention to the obligations of all signatories to the Pact. In several public statements and diplomatic communications prior to the outbreak of hostilities I emphatically called attention to the Pact and the obligations of its signatories and this Government’s view that these are solemn obligations. We realize, however, and I am sure that the British Government has the same realization, that there is in the Pact no provision for action by the signatories in the event of disregard of their commitments by any of their number. The only effective action that can be taken in direct relation to or under the Pact would seem to be in connection with public opinion, and it would seem that for greatest effectiveness such action should better precede than follow the beginning of hostilities. Such questions as those of consultation or conference among the Powers are questions which would exist and which would have much the same character were the Pact not in existence. Therefore it would seem to me that the opportune moment for collective invocation of the Pact or of any action posited on the Pact, such as a conference, if a conference could in any case be based on the Pact, has gone by. I feel that, many factors being taken into consideration, especially the factor of public opinion in this country, it would be better not to talk of the possibility of holding a conference. However, if several other of the signatory powers should feel disposed to initiate through diplomatic channels a proposal for concerted or simultaneous utterance by the signatories, in reference to the Pact and to violation thereof, [Page 776] our attitude now as heretofore would not be in opposition, notwithstanding the facts and conditions to which we have called attention. In view of what the United States has already done, dramatically and emphatically, I doubt whether it would be wise for a renewed initiative to come from this country. It would seem to me preferable that there be discussion by some half dozen of the more important nations in Europe and North and South America through diplomatic channels.
Apart from the foregoing, but of equal importance, should not serious consideration be given to the opinion which I advanced recently to you that the projection now of the Paris Pact into the situation might seriously interfere with the League’s program.
In connection with the whole question of possible lines of cooperation, it should at all times be remembered by all concerned that the United States is definitely committed to a policy of not becoming entangled and of avoiding being drawn into any orbit of hostilities.
You should seek an early appointment to talk to the Foreign Secretary, following closely the substance of the above.
Repeat to Paris and Amdelgat for Consul, Geneva, for their information.