500.A15A4/2270: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chairman of the American Delegation (Davis)
381. Nationwide editorial reaction to recent events in Geneva combines a wide resentment against the Hitler Government (as distinguished from the German people) together with a unanimous opinion that we must not allow ourselves to become involved in European political developments. Your statement of the 16th17 has been praised by papers of all shades of opinion as striking the exact note which the American policy should follow.
Your suggestions contained in telegram No. 75817a are based largely on future contingencies which have not yet taken place; it is accordingly not possible to formulate specific replies. In general, however, we question the advisability of cooperating with any one Power in working out a new draft project unless specifically requested to do so by both France and Germany on their own initiative. From our point of view, the main thing is to avoid any speeches or decisions at the meeting of the General Commission on October 26 which might have unfortunate repercussions in Germany. I have never felt that there was the possibility of constructive progress before mid-November at the earliest and if the decision of the General Commission should be a further postponement until the German elections, we should not be averse.