751.62/490: Telegram
The Chargé in France (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 21—5:19 p.m.]
1798. Bonnet told me this morning that when François-Poncet went to Berchtesgaden to say goodbye to Hitler, the latter without making any definite proposal or going into details indicated clearly his desire to bring about an improvement in Franco-German relations. I asked if there was a possibility of Franco-German declaration mutually renouncing war along the lines of the Chamberlain–Hitler declaration at Munich. Bonnet said that this was “in the air” but that there was absolutely nothing definite as yet. He expects Hitler to make definite proposals later. He said that the French Government for its part would not neglect any opportunity to improve relations with Germany and he had genuine hopes that something might be [Page 94] accomplished. He believes that France can make greater progress in this direction with Germany than with Italy. Incidentally he told me that the agreement of the German Government for Coulondre as French Ambassador at Berlin had been received this morning.
Bonnet said that contrary to what is generally believed Hitler’s position had not been strengthened in Germany by his success in the recent crisis. I expressed some skepticism. Bonnet insisted, however, that the German people were aware of how closely they had been led to the brink of war and that their disapproval of the risks involved in Hitler’s policy outweighed satisfaction at the results obtained. He stated that it might be difficult for Hitler to embark the German people on another risky adventure and that Hitler realized this.
Bonnet said that France had lived too long shut off from normal contact with Germany, Italy and Spain. It is essential for France to reestablish reasonable relations with these countries and the Munich Agreement now affords an opportunity to make the effort. He said that of course to talk effectively with Hitler, it will be necessary for France to have given unmistakable proof that she has learned her lesson from the recent crisis and has gone to work with a will to improve the economy and finances of the country and strengthen armaments. I asked whether this effort had really gotten under way as yet. Bonnet said that he believed so. Much will, of course, depend upon the nature of the decree laws. Bonnet said that frankly he knew very little of what Daladier intended to include in these decree laws (another member of the Cabinet remarked to me at luncheon today that Daladier had evidently been impressed by Hitler’s method of working because since returning from Munich Daladier had shut himself up about as completely as Hitler is accustomed to do at Berchtesgaden and had not consulted members of the Cabinet regarding the preparation of the decree laws).
I asked Bonnet if he thought there was a possibility of successful mediation in Spain. He said that with the withdrawal of Italian troops which has already taken place and with further withdrawals expected it should be possible to declare the Anglo-Italian agreement in effect next month. Under these conditions he believes that there will be a potential opportunity for mediation. He stated that the French Government is not considering sending a diplomatic agent to Burgos at this time.
Bonnet said that he had no idea how the dispute concerning the Hungarian minority in Czechoslovakia would be settled. He said that Beck had gone to Rumania with the definite purpose of obtaining Rumanian consent to the establishment of a common frontier between Poland and Hungary. The Rumanian Government had informed the [Page 95] French Government that they had disapproved this proposal. Bonnet said that as far as he knew direct diplomatic negotiations between Hungary and Czechoslovakia had not yet been resumed. He said that delay, of course, made Imrédy’s23 position increasingly more difficult.
Speaking of the Far East Bonnet stated that while the Japanese invasion of South China24 was a cause for worry he believed that the danger was much greater for the British with Hong Kong than for the French with Indo-China.
He remarked that nothing could be done regarding this situation without the active cooperation of the United States and added that he intended to have Saint-Quentin discuss the matter with Secretary of State.
I asked Bonnet about the domestic situation. He said that there will be no immediate dissolution of the Chamber. Daladier will wait to see the effect produced by the decree laws. If the effect is favorable and he believes that he can obtain a further grant of full powers then the idea of new elections will be abandoned. If on the other hand there should be opposition to the decree laws and it should appear that there would be difficulty in obtaining further full powers from the present Chamber then Daladier might demand dissolution and go to the country on his program for rehabilitating France.
- Bela de Imrédy, Hungarian Prime Minister.↩
- See vol. iii, pp. 273 ff.↩