500.A15a4/346: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Wilson)
97. There are persistent newspaper reports, especially since the reorganization of the British Government, that the date of the Disarmament Conference will be postponed. In response to a question at the press conference this morning as to whether we had information that any nation would definitely propose postponement I answered in the negative and said that we should be sorry to see the conference postponed. [Page 521] In answer to a further question as to whether we should actively oppose postponement I said: “I don’t know exactly how we could oppose it actively if it is taken up in the Council of the League of Nations, and that is the place where it would probably be discussed. It is certainly true that we should feel very sorry to have it postponed. At this time of economic depression everywhere, it seems to me that the saving that might be accomplished by a successful disarmament conference is even more important than it would be in ordinary times. We should be exceedingly sorry to see it postponed.”
[Paraphrase.] The Department desires to be kept closely informed. The statements I made to the representatives of the press accurately indicate the position of our Government. Whenever possible you should make it clear that we deplore any idea of postponing the conference. There is no doubt in my mind that in France there is a strong trend in favor of postponement. Possibly this is true of England also. If the League of Nations should reveal a tendency in favor of postponement, it ought to be made clear to everyone that the move is European in origin and does not accord with the desires of this country. [End paraphrase.]