500.A15A4/1330½: Telegram
The Acting Chairman of the American Delegation (Gibson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:05 p.m.]
333. The text of a paragraph to be included in the resolution which we are working on on the subject of limitation of expenditures has been worked out after long negotiation with the French. It represents a series of concessions on their part and as it now stands in this last draft is acceptable to the French themselves. The delegation considers it satisfactory. The matter has been especially considered by Senator Swanson in view of possible repercussions in Congress and he has accepted it as well as the naval and military advisers. As the French attach capital importance to this paragraph we would like your views as soon as possible.
- “1. The Conference shall when it reconvenes determine what system of limitation or of publicity of national defense expenditure will best be suited to guarantee the alleviation of the financial burdens of the peoples and to prevent the measures of qualitative and quantitative disarmament provided for in the convention from being rendered ineffective by the perfecting or development of permitted arms.
- 2. In view of the decisions to be taken for this purpose
the governments represented at the Conference shall make
known before the next session of the General Commission and
under reserve of the special situation of each state,
- (a)
- Either the extent of saving which would be the immediate result of reductions in matériel and effectives which each accepts for itself.
- (b)
- Or the percentage of reduction which they agree to put into effect in their next national defense budget as compared with their present budget in order to effect and maintain during the life of the Convention a saving at least equivalent to that foreseen under (a) above.”