Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1938, General, Volume I

760F.62/11175/10

Memorandum of Trans-Atlantic Telephone Conversation Between the Ambassador in France (Bullitt) and the Under Secretary of State (Welles)

[Washington,] September 27, 1938—2:40 p.m.

Mr. Welles: The telegram⁸⁵ which you sent did not come in until after I had gone to the White House but it doesn’t change matters. The Secretary and I both went to the President. I can simply say in general terms that while some of the specific details and some of the specific proposals you have in mind will not be agreed to, the President is considering something along that general line which you and I both believe in. He asked me to ask you to get in touch with Daladier personally immediately and ask him in the utmost confidence, with every effort to prevent any leak, what his reaction would be should the President tonight in a reply to the message, the one that we were talking about, suggest as a supplementary measure to the negotiations already continuing a conference of the powers directly interested, in a neutral capital, concluding by making a direct and personal plea to him and to no other head of state.

Bullitt: Who should make that appeal—the President?

Welles: The President is considering making it tonight but before doing so he would like to have the personal reaction of Daladier as to the desirability of such a step on his part.

Bullitt: In making that appeal tonight and suggesting a meeting of what powers—the ones I was talking about or others?

Welles: The ones you were talking about but he would not mention them specifically.

Bullitt: I see—to meet in what place?

Welles: No place to be mentioned but it would be suggested a neutral capital.

Bullitt: Just to make an appeal in general terms addressed to one gentleman?

Welles: The salient points would be these. 1. Once more to continue negotiations. 2. Supplementary to such negotiations a meeting in a neutral capital immediately of the interested nations. 3. A direct and personal appeal to him for the sake of humanity to agree to such solution inasmuch as the main agreement has already been reached.

Bullitt: I will get in touch with Daladier immediately and tell him about it.

Welles: Will you call us back?

Bullitt: Yes.

Welles: The President is particularly anxious that this be kept confidential.

Bullitt: Of course on the telephone one never knows what may happen.

Welles: I understand.

85. It is not certain to which telegram the Under Secretary referred.