Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1934, General, the British Commonwealth, Volume I

500.A15A4 General Committee/929: Telegram

The Chairman of the American Delegation (Davis) to the Secretary of State

Geneva, May 29, 1934—10 p.m.
[Received May 29—8:44 p.m.]

850. For the President and the Secretary.

1. As you understand, from this distance it is difficult for me to judge public reaction at home on any phase of the work here. For my guidance, I want to be absolutely sure that I am acting in accordance with the views and desires of the President and yourself. As I understand it you want me to endeavor to make the Conference a success and to keep it going as long as there is any hope of success. This can perhaps be done by active effort on the part of England and the United States and also the small “neutral” states. This means, however, that the United States would have to play an active role and at times to take the initiative. It also means that once embarked upon such a course which my speech tends to initiate we would have to continue it if it is to be effective. It also means that we may well have to take a position which might be construed as exerting pressure on France to face the actualities and upon Germany to résumé her participation and to give assurances that she will at least limit her practical application of the equality of rights agreement of December 11th, 1932,⁵⁷ to the extent of the British note of January 29th.⁵⁸

2. The scene shifts with great rapidity here and decisions must often be taken quickly. It would be a great help for me to know that what I have stated above coincides with your views and wishes.

Davis

57. Five Power Declaration, Foreign Relations, 1932, vol. i, p. 527.
58. For text of British memorandum of January 29, 1934, see Department of State, Press Releases, March 3, 1934, p. 110; also, Great Britain, Cmd. 4512, p. 21.