751.62/380: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Bullitt) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 17—3:30 p.m.]
1262. For Moore.33a My telegram No. 1261, December 16, 10 p.m.33b In the course of my conversation with Bonnet today he agreed that the nub of the question of peace and war in Europe was the question of reconciliation between France and Germany. I said to him that we found it somewhat extraordinary that at a time when both the French and German Governments were engaged in saying privately every day that they desired ardently to reach complete understanding and reconciliation neither one was making any direct effort to approach the other in an attempt to work out a direct understanding.
Bonnet said that he felt that such an effort should be made but added that he felt that the blessing of the United States would be necessary. I told him I was certain that any effort to reach such a reconciliation would have the full benediction of the United States.
Later in the afternoon the German Ambassador Count von Welczeck, who returned from Berlin yesterday called on me to say that von Ribbentrop wished to come to Paris to have a conversation with me. He then said he had a somewhat extraordinary question to ask me on behalf of his Government. His Government desired ardently to reach a full understanding with France. Did I believe that it might be possible to reach such an understanding? If so what steps did I consider advisable?
I replied that I was certain that the French Government desired intensely to reach understanding with Germany and that I believed the only method by which to reach it was through discreet conversations between France and Germany. He said that he had initiated such conversations by bringing Schacht to Paris; that Schacht’s conversation with Blum had been most promising but that the French had then conferred with the British and because of British opposition had not followed up the initiative of Schacht.
He then pointed out that England, the Soviet Union, and Italy were all opposed to Franco-German reconciliation and that the United States was the only great power in the Western World which would regard such reconciliation favorably. I told him that our Government would certainly favor such reconciliation.
He asked me if he could keep in constant touch with me with regard to this matter. I replied that I should be delighted if he would. He then asked me if it might be possible for me to visit Berlin at some [Page 381] time in the near future. I said that I considered such a visit entirely out of the question.
We then discussed at length the problems involved in Franco-German reconciliation. He stated that in his opinion if the problem were attacked as a whole global unit in one negotiation involving economic and financial agreements and limitation of armaments there was a considerable chance of success. I asked him what would be the attitude of the German Government if Delbos should say to him that France would like to enter into such a global negotiation. He replied that the German Government would accept with enthusiasm.
I am convinced personally that the chief hope of preserving peace in Europe lies in the faint possibility that France and Germany through direct negotiations may reach understanding. I believe that without involving ourselves in any way in such negotiations we should let it be known in private conversations that we would favor such reconciliation. As we are trusted by both the French and Germans we may be able in a small way to help.
If at a given moment both nations would welcome some public statement by the President it might be possible for us to consider such a statement; but until the ground has been prepared by direct conversations between the French and German Governments I feel that any general pronouncements by our Government should be avoided.