740.0011 Mutual Guarantee (Locarno)/422: Telegram
The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Atherton) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 12—3:50 p.m.]
108. Foreign Office has just informed me that at conclusion of the lunch, reported in my 105, March 12, 1 p.m.,82 the situation was at a complete deadlock.
The British consider both the Germans and the French are “bluffing”. German action on Saturday82a was done on the spur of the [Page 236] moment by Goering and Goebbels83 in direct conflict with Neurath, Blomberg84 and Schacht;85 in other words, the radical opposed to the conservative forces in Germany, neither of which want war at this time. The French are aware of this situation and believe the split to be to their advantage. The French, consequently, are insisting that Germany shall withdraw her troops from the Rhineland as a preliminary to any negotiations, even with the unexpressed assumption that German troops may later be permitted to return to the Rhineland thereby the integrity of the treaty being maintained. Although Flandin has denied the following, the British feel eventually the French would accept symbolic withdrawal. The British are inclined to think that theirs is the realistic point of view and that grounds should be found for opening negotiations either by Hitler’s stating that he will voluntarily undertake symbolic withdrawal from the Rhine to facilitate negotiations or by France’s finding a formula which will permit the Locarno Powers to negotiate with Germany. England has pointed out that neither they nor the French desire war, nor indeed does the German Reichswehr. Consequently the French must refrain from attempting a purely legalistic attitude. France, however, is being hard pressed to such an attitude by the Soviets and the Little Entente officials all of whom point out that the occupation of the demilitarized zone by Germany negates the value of French aid to them.
It is stated there is no direct contact between Berlin and London and the British do not expect a special German representative to be sent to London now.
The Italians are merely adopting a somewhat cynical onlooker’s attitude rather to the chagrin of the French. Britain feels that Belgium has a strong case, particularly in view of her need for the demilitarized zone, and that she is suffering because of the alleged threat of the Franco-Soviet pact. Belgium’s position accordingly is to attempt to be honest broker between the French and British.
Foreign Office again confirmed that it will be impossible to hold Council meeting unless Locarno Powers are previously in accord.
It was admitted the picture may change any moment but great skepticism was expressed as to whether any concrete advance will be achieved in today’s meeting.
Repeated to Paris, Bern, and Rome.