793.94 Conference/63
The Department of State to the British Embassy
Memorandum of Conversation With Mr. Mallet, British Chargé d’Affaires, October 19, 1937
With reference to the aide-mémoire of the British Embassy, dated October 18th, concerning the inviting of powers not parties to the Nine Power Treaty to attend the Brussels conference, Mr. Wilson reminded Mr. Mallet that the suggestion of the Government of the United States had been that an examination of this matter should be the first point for discussion in the meeting at Brussels of the parties to the treaty.
The Government of the United States, Mr. Wilson stated, believes, however, that the British Government may be in possession of fuller [Page 92] information than is available to the Government of the United States concerning the attitude of the Japanese and Italian Governments in regard to the invitation issued by the Government of Belgium. Further, the British Government may have reasons for making the suggestion contained in the aide-mémoire which are not, as yet, known to the Government of the United States. Hence, the Government of the United States would welcome an elucidation as to the reasons for immediate action on this problem, as well as any enlightenment that the British Government can give as to the attitude of the Japanese and Italian Governments, as well as of the German and Soviet Governments, if such information is in the possession of the British Government.