793.94 Conference/263: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chairman of the American Delegation (Davis)
71. Your 41, November 17, 3 p.m. I am sending you in a separate telegram1 summaries of press despatches from Brussels. You will note that the press is tending to take a line unfortunate for the freedom of action of this Government and which will tend to circumscribe our ability to maintain a position in defense of our principles.
The President knows and I know that these attacks are unfair and unjustified, but I fear that their continuation will undermine your position.
Not only are the French and British Embassies in various capitals refraining from any effort to correct this impression, but I have reason [Page 204] to believe that in one capital at least they have endeavored to convey the impression of sole responsibility of the United States in this situation.
We can only keep within the scope of our policy as pursued from the beginning of this Far Eastern trouble. Further and apart from this, I might emphasize two things: (1) That at this moment the temper of this country is not disposed to favor a course of pressure or threat and (2) That the longer you stay in Brussels, the more the probability that you will be accused by the press of advocating such policies and trying to make them prevail at the Conference.
I am getting out suggestions to you tonight. I hope that it will be possible for you to utilize them without making it an American or still less a government initiative. I hope that, with the arrival of Eden and Delbos on Friday, it will be found possible to prepare the ground for the adoption of some such resolution early next week, on Monday preferably, and thereby close the present phase of the Conference activities.
I note that you could sail on the Washington on December 2nd and believe that in any case it would be advisable to leave Brussels as soon as practicable after the recess.
- Not printed.↩