740.0011 Mutual Guarantee (Locarno)/471: Telegram
The Minister in Norway (Biddle) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 18—12:47 p.m.]
20. In the belief that the Department may be interested I venture to report consolidation of information received from sources I consider authoritative from which it becomes evident that the British Government will propose at intervals during the next 12 months various portions of a most comprehensive peace plan of realistic character constituting veritable European new deal providing inter alia for equality for Germany and security for France and Belgium.
Summary of plan for which Neville Chamberlain8 is largely responsible follows: Tension now existing as a result of Italo-Ethiopian conflict and Franco-German differences will first be relieved through cessation of African hostilities on realistic basis. Sanctions to be suppressed against Italy and excluded from application to Germany while the Franco-Russian pact is eventually to be referred to Hague Tribunal. Secondly, a series of pacification pacts between Western Europe as suggested by German Chancellor and also a new Locarno providing for international patrol forces in Rhineland. Finally, convocation of a general conference on armament for the purpose of obtaining promise of annual report of changes contemplated by each country in order that element of surprise may be removed from international military situation. Participation of the United States in such a conference believed to be possible.
- British Chancellor of the Exchequer.↩