793.94 Conference/296: Telegram
The Chairman of the American Delegation (Davis) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 25—3:10 p.m.]
54. MacDonald before leaving Tuesday on account of his father’s funeral pressed me rather strongly to go by London for a day or so. He said the Prime Minister wished very much to have a talk with me before I return to Washington and also that Eden who was unable to return to Brussels because of his health would like to have a final talk. I told him that I would like very much to do so but that there were two difficulties in the way. First, my wife is not at all well; in fact not well enough for me to run the risk of taking her by London. Second, if I should go by London for further consultation just now, particularly with the impending visit of Chautemps and Delbos, I was fearful that there would be so much press speculation that it might possibly have a harmful reaction at home which would not be compensated by the advantages to be gained in further discussions.
Yesterday afternoon some of the British press told Pell10 they understood that the Prime Minister had invited me to see him in London and inquired when I was going. Pell told them he knew nothing about it but that he understood that for personal reasons I was planning to proceed direct for home. A London despatch in the Paris Herald today states that a Downing Street spokesman said that MacDonald had suggested that I return home by London.
Last night Cranborne pressed me to go via London. I repeated to him what I had told MacDonald and added that until I returned home and discussed matters fully with the President and you, it was difficult to see what further useful conversations we could carry on except to exchange views more fully as to the manner and the terms under which a possible eventual mediation or conciliation might be offered. This was a subject which we had not been able to explore fully here because of the strain of more pressing work. Cranborne, Cadogan, Hornbeck and I had a tentative exploratory conversation on this subject. The British told me that Craigie had been telegraphing quite a bit of late on the subject of mediation but that they would not have the details of his telegrams until they got back to London. In essence, however, they indicated that the attitude of Japan on this score was less hopeful than a few days ago but they still considered it useful for us to consider this together more fully in order to be prepared if and when something can be done.
[Page 229]I suggested that it might be possible to send Hornbeck for a day or two in London just before sailing to have further conversations with Cadogan without any commitment on this subject. I hope this will satisfy the British. Although my judgment is against visiting England at this time because of possible adverse opinion at home and is certainly against going while the French are there I feel I should point out that an unfortunate impression of unresponsiveness on our part might arise if I refuse under all circumstances to go by London as the British are greatly disappointed that our cooperation here has not assumed a more substantial character. I should be glad, however, to receive your guidance. Hornbeck plans tentatively to go with me to Paris then to The Hague and thence on Tuesday to England where he would visit the Foreign Office informally unless you object. Moffat11 will stay with me in Paris.