500.A15A4/1763: Telegram
The Acting Chairman of the American Delegation (Gibson) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 14—4:53 a.m.]
565. Our 564, March 13, 11 p.m. As our conversation with MacDonald and Simon was breaking up MacDonald drew me aside and said once more how deeply he was troubled by the whole problem. He asked what I thought the problem was and how he could get at it. I said I thought the problem was (a)—to find out from the French their irreducible minimum in security demands, (b)—if they got this irreducible minimum what they would give for it in definite figures of disarmament, (c)—what concessions they would make to Germany about part V of the Treaty of Versailles to take effect now or later; if later when? That the second step was to ascertain definitely from the Germans if what the French were prepared to give would meet their needs and if not exactly what were their minimum demands. Since he raised the question as to what he could do, I said I thought that there was little use in trying to iron out problems of this character in public discussion or even in conversation with delegates here but that he might find out what the possibilities were if he could have a heart to heart talk with Hitler.70 After an instant’s reflection he answered “If I could do what I should like I should set out to visit Rome, Washington and Berlin in the order named”.
We cannot but be concerned over the possible results of an attempt to launch a short term treaty without first settling what is to be done about the question of German equality. It is only after that is settled that the Conference can deal with disarmament figures. On the other hand having come here with the publicly announced purpose of “saving the Conference” it is difficult for MacDonald to return to London without some visible result and part at least of his present problem [Page 38] is how to save his face. It occurs to us that a way out may be offered by falling in with the Italian suggestion of holding no more meetings of the General and Political Commissions until after Easter in order to let tension relax (while technical committees continue) while MacDonald announces that in view of the character of the problems which must be settled before the Conference proceeds much further he proposes to utilize the interval for visits to Rome, Washington and Berlin. We believe that he is really tempted by this idea but we hesitate to offer you recommendations on the subject because we cannot see from this angle what bearing his visit might have on debt question or other political issues. However, judging the matter by itself, we should be glad for him to have the opportunity to discuss these problems with the President, you and Norman Davis. If from the Washington angle you feel that the visit would be desirable and that the Italian suggestion as to conference procedure is sound you may care to authorize us to encourage MacDonald to make this visit and follow the Italian suggestion for conference procedure.
In the event you feel that foregoing offers a solution you may wish to offer suggestions perhaps as to the time of visit and of course such suggestions would be especially effective if they came in the form of personal messages from you or Norman Davis as the character of the conversation was such that there can be no embarrassment if you decide not to follow the matter up.
- Chancelor of the German Reich.↩