765.84/4738: Telegram (part air)
The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 28—6:14 a.m.]
253. Consulate’s 158, May 11, 5 p.m.83
1. The representatives of the “neutral” states held a meeting here last evening. I am informed confidentially by participants that the following transpired concerning the chief points at issue.
Sanctions—Unanimity of view that sanctions must be discarded; [Page 165] recognition in fact that since the British action84 there is no other course to follow. A consensus of opinion that the lifting of sanctions must be simultaneous and that an agreement to that effect should somehow be obtained; this is felt to be just and necessary to prevent states obtaining advantages from Italy in return for early individual action. Considerable resentment was displayed over the circumstance that London which had by private representations urged them to impose sanctions had accorded them no prior information concerning its recent action; coupled with this was a belief that Great Britain may have acquired some concession from Italy on the strength of that separate action.
As a corollary to the foregoing the question of Italian “counter sanctions” was discussed. The idea was advanced of obtaining some undertakings from Italy that she would not practice discrimination against or between sanctionist states once the measures are abolished. Ciano’s statement that a return to pre-sanction channels of trade would be a delayed process was disturbing and lent color to the suspicion that “powers” had already obtained special concessions. Consideration of what might be done by the small powers to protect their interests in these respects was left open, but it was generally felt that nothing tangible could be accomplished.
Nonrecognition—Although certain representatives demurred on principle, it was generally felt that nothing could be gained and only irritation would result by raising the question of nonrecognition respecting Abyssinia. In particular, there was a complete lack of knowledge of what Argentina would propose and it was thus felt that decisions as to their positions must await Argentine action and Assembly developments immediately subsequent thereto.
League Reform—It was generally agreed that it was too early to consider specific projects. It was felt, nevertheless, desirable that the question should “seriously” be placed before the governments during the current meetings in order that it might definitely be considered in September.
2. In another meeting this morning the general opinion was opposed to juridical reform of the Covenant but favorable to facilitating action under the Covenant by new procedural or mechanical arrangements.
3. Indications here are that the British policy respecting sanctions will be supported by all the dominions except South Africa. The South African representative who told a member of my staff that his Government was extremely displeased with the British position went [Page 166] so far as to say that South Africa would stand for the maintenance of sanctions even if it were the only state to do so and even if that involved a public split with London.