740.0011 Mutual Guarantee (Locarno)/495: Telegram
The Ambassador in Germany (Dodd) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 21—11:15 a.m.]
88. Foreign Office attitude regarding the Locarno Powers London accord16 is generally negative. Foreign Office considers that many of the proposals to Germany “smell Flandin” and are entirely unacceptable, particularly the reestablishment of part of the demilitarized zone on a one-sided basis and its occupation by foreign troops. The Foreign Office is now studying the accord. While not yet decided on future moves it was clear that the Germans have no desire or intention of breaking off the negotiations. We gained the impression that there might well be counter proposals.
In his speech last night Hitler followed the same general line of his previous campaign speeches dealing largely with the international situation and asking, at a high emotional climax, in which he referred [Page 264] to how hard he has worked to build Germany up to her present position, that the people should now in return show their gratitude in the coming election. Hitler appeared to stress the idea that he would not give way to any London action and of irritation with the attitude of the statesmen of other powers.
I am reliably informed that Ribbentrop is returning from London this afternoon presumably for a conference with Hitler.
Repeated to London, Paris, Geneva, Rome.
- March 19, 1936; for text, see British Cmd. 5134, Germany No. 2: Text of Proposals drawn up by the Representatives of Belgium, France, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Italy, London, March 19, 1936, or League of Nations, Official Journal, April 1936, p. 348.↩