711.4112Anti-War/36: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Houghton)
112. Your No. 95, May 3, 5 p.m. Yesterday in conversation with the French Ambassador, M. Claudel was given clearly to understand that in our opinion the idea of a conference of jurists was not best way of dealing with the situation; that a conference of that sort was wholly unnecessary; that instead of simplifying the problem, it would complicate it; and that proposal of any such conference would have an unfortunate effect on American public opinion. The Ambassador undertook to cable these views to French Government.
In another conversation yesterday with the British Ambassador, Sir Esme Howard stated that origin of the report that I would be willing to go to Europe to negotiate the anti-war treaty was in a talk which I had with Mr. Chilton some two weeks ago at a dinner party, and which Mr. Chilton construed as indication on my part of willingness to go abroad to negotiate the treaty, if necessary, but in any event to go to sign the treaty should one be agreed upon. Sir Esme was told that Mr. Chilton must not have understood what I said; for, while I might indeed have remarked that I would go abroad, were it necessary, to sign the treaty, the thought of doing so for the purpose of negotiation was altogether foreign to any intention I had; that I had never even considered the possibility of taking such a step. Howard is cabling British Government to correct erroneous impression caused by earlier report from Embassy here.
Also in course of conversation yesterday with the German Ambassador, latter was told frankly what our position was on French proposal regarding a conference of jurists. He concurred in our views, and stated that from now on the German Government meant to cooperate fully with the United States.
The American Ambassador in Japan has just telegraphed as follows in reply to a telegram similar to Department’s No. 108, May 2, 3 p.m. to you:
[Here follows text of first, second, and fourth paragraphs of telegram No. 55, May 4, 5 p.m., from the Ambassador in Japan, printed on page 52.]
I shall try to keep you fully advised of all significant developments. Please do not hesitate to telegraph me, however, if there is any information you need or any questions you desire answered.