500.A15A3/1782: Telegram
The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Atherton) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 28—2 p.m.]
287.
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Bilateral conversations1 with the Poles took place yesterday and will be continued next week. Poles so far are only seeking for explanation of present situation.
Bilateral conversations with the Soviet will continue next week. So far Soviets are adamant that there must be two reservations in any bilateral agreement made with England: (1) that any European agreement must be dependent on Germany completing its bilateral agreement and (2) that the question of the Soviets’ fleet in the Far East must be reserved until such time as Japan likewise negotiates a similar treaty. Soviets frankly stated they were most anxious to conclude with the Japanese at the same time with the naval agreement a political treaty including a pact of nonaggression with military and air provisions.
Diplomatic conversations indicate Scandinavian countries more prepared to enter into a general naval agreement than bilateral one.
- On the part of the British Government.↩