711.00 Pres. Speech, Oct. 5, 1937/34: Telegram
The Ambassador in Belgium (Gibson) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 8—5:17 p.m.]
75. In conversation this afternoon the Minister for Foreign Affairs said that the general feeling in governmental and political circles here was that President’s Chicago speech was a pronouncement essential if there was to be any concerted stand against international lawlessness. It is felt here that the great democracies have been forbearing toward violations of international obligations to a point where further indulgence would be disastrous; that if the European democracies are assured of American cooperation and support in the Far East their hands will be strengthened in dealing with European problems; and that however much small countries like Belgium may desire to see action taken for the maintenance of world order it is the great powers that must give the lead. Furthermore, the Belgian Government feels that if the opportunity is allowed to pass without effective agreement among the great democracies the world situation is bound to grow progressively worse. Belgium and other small countries would find relief and assurance in such liaison.