793.94 Conference/172: Telegram
The Chairman of the American Delegation (Davis) to the Secretary of State
[Received 1:21 a.m.]
11. This afternoon59 Spaak invited Eden, Delbos60 and me to discuss questions of procedure. It was agreed that after the Belgian Foreign Minister has made the opening speech in the public session tomorrow each delegate would be given an opportunity to address the Conference. We decided that the three of us would speak first in order to set a general tone which we hope will be followed by the remaining speakers other than Litvinov and Aldrovandi. Thursday there will be a private session to consider the Japanese and German replies.
There is a general feeling that with good management Germany may be persuaded to reconsider her decision which was not categoric. Spaak in his opening speech will emphasize that this is an autonomous Conference, not under League auspices, and this should meet Germany’s preoccupation on this score. Meanwhile before being officially [Page 148] reinvited Spaak will officially sound out Germany’s attitude. I believe that if you were orally to say to Dieckhoff61 that you understood that a new approach might shortly be made and that we hoped Germany would thereupon join the Brussels deliberations it might prove exceedingly helpful. As a power which has every interest in seeing the conflict settled speedily by peaceful means her collaborations would be of the highest value.
The next problem to be considered will be (a) whether or not again to invite Japan (b) if so, how, and (c) the selection of a very small committee to try and make contact with the Japanese and to study ways and means of inducing China and Japan to accept mediation.
I had considerable difficulty in persuading Spaak and Delbos of the importance of building up and educating public opinion. They even urged that we forego any public session whatever. I had the impression that they wished to wind up the Conference at the earliest opportunity and that there is some support for this view. I shall continue to urge the importance of the constructive phase of our work as to which the British at least are beginning to wake up.