852.00/4005: Telegram
The Ambassador in Germany (Dodd) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received December 5—3 p.m.]
360. Dieckhoff informed me confidentially this morning that the neutrality conference in London yesterday evening instructed the [Page 592] British and French Ambassadors to propose to Germany, Italy and Russia that no more volunteers and no more arms be sent to Spain. Dieckhoff said Neurath could not answer at once but he thought Germany would agree if the others did.
The second point the two Ambassadors presented was that the Neutrality Commission would press upon the Spanish some solution of the war problem and in case not agreed to, the struggle should be left entirely to the Spanish. The danger of war is so great that the Germans are seriously troubled. Dieckhoff revealed favorable personal attitude toward the proposals, but said the answer depends entirely on the Führer. He agreed that Mussolini’s attitude is getting to be troublesome. I think the Foreign Office in general holds same view.
Incidentally I then asked what would Germany do if the Buenos Aires Conference asked for a general Peace Conference. He replied by saying he thought Hitler would also agree if Mussolini would participate, even to the extent of gradual reduction of armament. The conversation led to the belief on my part that Mussolini would not participate in a peace movement and that would cause Hitler to decline. Of course his statements in this regard may have been made without forethought on the matter.
Copies to London, Paris, Rome.