793.94 Conference/1
The Department of State to the British Embassy
Memorandum of Conversation Between Mr. Mallet, British Chargé d’Affaires, and Mr. Wilson
Mr. Wilson informed Mr. Mallet that he had taken advice on the aide-mémoire which Mr. Mallet was good enough to leave this morning and that, as a result, was in a position to answer certain questions proposed by the British Government, which, for the sake of convenience, he would break down and enumerate.
The British Government inquires how effect should be given to the invitation of the President of the Assembly and states that among the points to be considered are:
(1) As to how further invitations should be issued?
The Government of the United States feels that, in the first instance, this question, as it would appear from the Assembly resolution, is one to be dealt with by those signatories of the Nine Power Treaty who are also members of the League of Nations among themselves, but suggests that it might be found practicable for the six original parties, excluding China, Japan and the United States, to offer a joint suggestion for a meeting.
(2) What form the invitations should take?
It would seem to this Government that it would be advisable in this matter that the invitations should be couched in as broad language as possible, perhaps purely a suggestion as to time and place of meeting, coupled with the phrase in the Assembly resolution to the effect that the purpose was to seek a method of putting an end to the conflict by agreement.
[Page 66](3) Where the conference should take place?
The Government of the United States sees certain decided disadvantages in Washington as a place for the meeting. This Government suggests, for the consideration of the British Government, that the conference, in fact, should not be held in any large capital or at Geneva, but that it might be held at some smaller place in Europe.
(4) When should the meeting take place?
As to this, the American Government feels that it would be advantageous to hold the meeting as soon as practicable, having due consideration for the necessity of reasonable preparation and travel.
(5) Advisability of invitations to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and Germany?
While the Government of the United States is not desirous of offering any objection to the issue of an invitation, it would like to inquire whether the British Government has considered, since the meeting would be summoned under the Nine Power Treaty, the advisability that the signatories thereto, when assembled, should consider the matter of inviting other powers. It would be helpful for this Government to be apprised of the views of the British Government on the advisability of the issue of such invitation. It would also be helpful if the British Government could throw any light on the probable attitude of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and Germany in the event that they attended the meeting.
The consideration is not raised in the communication of the British Government, but the question has arisen as to the type of delegation that the nations might feel it advisable to send. In this connection, the thoughts of the British Government would prove helpful.