740.0011 Mutual Guarantee (Locarno)/427: Telegram
The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Atherton) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 13—12:13 p.m.]
115. The French Ambassador outlined to me this morning the position to date. In his first talk with Eden on Saturday he impressed upon him the importance of the British press presenting Germany’s act “in its right perspective”. In the French point of view the difference between Italy as an aggressor and Germany as a violator is nil. The basic problem is that both nations are jeopardizing collective security. The French demand some repressive [Page 242] action against Germany as England demanded action against Italy because of Germany’s disregard of the entire system of collective security. On the other hand Britain’s position to date has been more or less to disregard “and to try to solve the present situation by a new rearrangement based on Hitler’s proposals, including further British assurances to France, and League cooperation.87
However, the English press report on Sunday and Monday did not condemn the German action and the reaction in Germany was buoyant. On Tuesday, due to French efforts in England and, I gather, some of the permanent officials, the press began to take a different attitude which has since increased. Today Baldwin’s speech of last Monday88 maintaining that the present situation is a Franco-German issue is being supported by a better understanding of the French position. Indeed Eden informed Flandin yesterday that with time English opinion would come to have a better understanding of the true Locarno issue involved.
It is evident that in discussions between the French and British that England at the moment is only interested in the question as it concerns England, France and Belgium. Flandin, however, has emphasized that if Germany gets away with this latest act unchecked in any manner the whole group of middle European statesmen who now favor cooperation with the Western Powers, such as Beneš, Titulescu, Prince Paul,89 et cetera, will in the next 2 years disappear and the youth of certain of those countries whose inclinations are pro-German will control with Germany the destinies of Central Europe.
The French have definitely informed the British that there are two issues; one involving the Locarno Powers, and one involving the League Powers, and they are unwilling to consider any postponement of the Council tomorrow if there is not agreement by the Locarno Powers at that time. France recognizes the importance of Belgium in the Locarno conversations since her attitude in the matter is very close to the British position and her case is iron clad.
At the last meeting of the Locarno Powers yesterday90 Flandin put forward the French case very strongly; that is, that Germany has violated a treaty obligation and the collective system, and that some measure of repression must be taken against her. It will not satisfy France that England likewise evades her obligations under Locarno and attempts to create a new situation in which she is endeavoring to find fresh assurances that the French can accept. The British made [Page 243] no reply. Eden then put forward the British Government’s case and the British suggestion for a reexamination of the situation and the negotiation of a fresh agreement, as previously outlined herein. To this the French likewise made no reply and there has been no further exchanges of opinion this morning before the meeting. The French do feel, however, that last night’s communiqué which was issued with particular regard to clarification of the Locarno violation is important not only as showing the trend of the British official mind but in the effect it has had on opinion here today.
By air to Paris.
- This sentence is apparently garbled.↩
- Stanley Baldwin, British Prime Minister, speaking on March 9 in the House of Commons.↩
- First Regent of Yugoslavia, for King Peter II.↩
- In London, March 12. The Locarno Powers, which, with the exception of Germany, had met in Paris on March 10, resumed their meetings in London, March 12–19.↩