500.A15A4/1047: Telegram
The Acting Chairman of the American Delegation (Gibson) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 21—7:15 a.m.]
193. From Norman Davis. A mutual friend informed me that Herriot had expressed a desire to have a confidential talk with me on disarmament and requested him to approach me on the subject suggesting that since he would be in Lyon this coming Sunday he would appreciate it if I would motor over and meet him there and that there need be no publicity about it. I informed the friend that if I could arrange to do so I would but that I felt I must inform Tardieu who is still Prime Minister of France to ascertain if he had any objections. After talking the matter over with Gibson and Wilson and after receiving a message from Tardieu to the effect that he thought it was a perfectly natural thing to do, that he had no objections whatever, and thought it might be very useful, I sent word to Herriot that I could meet him for lunch tomorrow in Lyon and I am asking Wilson to go with me. We are naturally giving this no publicity although Tardieu said he saw no objection to it but I wish to let you know in case anything should be published.
Have informed Edge through Armour who thought it an advisable thing to do because whatever form the new government in France takes Herriot will be a predominant factor. [Davis.]