711.00 Statement July 16, 1937/25: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Davies) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 24—3:50 a.m.]
188. Your statement of July 16 was brought to the attention of the Foreign Office several days ago in pursuance to your circular telegram of July 17, 2 p.m. The Foreign Office was also advised that the Embassy would be glad to transmit back to Washington Mr. Litvinov’s12 comments on the principles set forth in the statement. In response to an inquiry the Foreign Office was informed that in bringing this matter to Mr. Litvinov’s attention the Embassy was acting in accordance with your instructions.
Mr. Litvinov today handed the Embassy his comments in writing, a translation of which reads as follows:
“Mr. Litvinov requests that his thanks be transmitted to Mr. Hull for the kind communication to him of the statement made by Mr. Hull to the press, a statement, the significance of which does not escape his attention. He was the more interested in acquainting himself with the statement of Mr. Hull in view of the fact that it is in accord with the general position of the Soviet Government with respect to the questions therein touched upon. There is no doubt that tension, conflicts, and frictions in international relations, and particularly menaces of hostile clashes, even though at first affecting only two or a few powers, are likely eventually to affect the rights and interest of all nations. This view has found expression in the principles of indivisibility of peace and of collective security advanced by Mr. Litvinov at the League of Nations.
Mr. Litvinov shares the other views contained in the statement of Mr. Hull, which are in harmony with the principles which the Soviet Government is not only propagating but also carrying out in its foreign policy, principles such as the abstinence of all nations from use of force in pursuit of policy and from interference in the internal affairs of other nations, the adjustment of international problems [Page 706] exclusively by processes of peaceful negotiations and agreements, the faithful observance of international agreements, the modification of the conditions of treaties only by amicable agreements of the interested powers, the equality of all nations, the reduction of armaments, and so forth. In particular the Soviet Government presented at Geneva as far back as 10 years ago a plan for complete general disarmament and also for a partial reduction in armaments.13 Furthermore the Soviet Government, again at Geneva, presented a proposal for the organization of a permanent peace conference14 within the framework of which the cooperative efforts mentioned in Mr. Hull’s statement could be exerted. In practice, the present international situation, full of threats to general peace, arising now in one, now in another continent, demand, in the opinion of Mr. Litvinov the most energetic counteractivity on the part of all nations. This counteractivity, in addition to an activization of the League of Nations may take different forms, as for example, regional pacts of mutual assistance and other accords. Considerable significance among the number of these forms is ascribed by Mr. Litvinov to simultaneous and periodical manifestations of [solidarity] and a will to peace on the part of all nations sincerely devoted to the idea of preserving peace. Mr. Litvinov is sure that the Soviet Government will always be ready to take part in such manifestations as to contribute its bit to the very important cause of international pacification.”
The Foreign Office said that it would like to give both statements to the press and asked if there would be any objections thereto. The Embassy suggested that no announcement be made until after it has obtained your views with respect thereto. It would be appreciated if you could advise the Embassy if possible before July 25 whether you would object to the issuance of a communiqué by the Foreign Office.
- Maxim Litvinov, Soviet Commissar for Foreign Affairs.↩
- Resolution submitted November 30, 1927, to the Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference; see League of Nations, Documents of the Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference, Series V (C.667.M.225.1927.ix), p. 11. See also telegram dated February 25, 1928, 10 a.m., Foreign Relations, 1928, Vol. i, p. 240.↩
- See telegram of May 29, 1934, midnight, from Geneva, Foreign Relations, 1934, Vol. i, p. 78.↩