740.0011 European War 1939/2286: Telegram
The Chargé in Germany (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:05 p.m.]
1017. For the Secretary and Under Secretary. Within the last few days I have spoken with the representatives in Berlin of practically every neutral country in the immediate or relative proximity of Germany, Italy and Russia. There is not one, who in view of the latest developments, does not fear for his country an attack against its territory or a violation of its sovereignty and the only questions in their minds are the points where the attacks will be made, the time they will be launched, and the extent of the destruction involved.
Up to now every possible appeal has been made first to prevent this war and then to limit its scope until some just and reasonable basis for a durable peace could be found. All these efforts have failed and the immediate prospect of [is?] a war, which although an outcome compatible with the maintenance of the principles of our civilization may be eventually assured, will inevitably entail the destruction of values both social and material in Europe and ultimately elsewhere from which there may be no recovery.
The acts which have punctuated the stages of this war have been frequently connected [condemned?] in words and messages but those words and messages have been unaccompanied by any overt act expressive of that condemnation and have not [now?] lost all effect except as utensil of diverse propaganda. In the peoples of Europe if not in their leaders there is some innate sense of the practical advantage of right as against wrong and a strong inclination in them to recognize that right if challenged by an impressive manifestation thereof.
That challenge has not yet been made and until it is made no person or group of persons can be justifiably convinced that the destruction which is facing the world at the moment is inevitable. The United States is regarded as the greatest power in the world today and only its acts can produce immediate and far-reaching effect. I urge, therefore, that the President take steps at once to notify the belligerent governments and their associates both through their representatives in Washington and in the respective capitals that whichever of the belligerent countries commits an act of aggression against the territory of a neutral country, or violates intentionally and substantially its [Page 160] territorial sovereignty, will be immediately confronted with a severance of diplomatic relations by the United States. This message should be immediate. It should be confidential without any publicity and it would gain reinforcement if the Latin American Governments would subsequently adhere.
It is impossible not to realize the practical objections to such a step and the difficulties and complications which it would entail. Furthermore, it can be said that this notification might not constitute a deterrent and might even serve to precipitate action in certain quarters. In view of past experiences, however, and of the menace of the moment, it would seem that those considerations should not prevail. It is justifiable to reason that the present situation is desperate, that a general war is inevitable, and that further effort to prevent it would be futile or even inadvisable. It is inconceivable, however, that the execution of a realistic act of disassociation on the part of the United States from the exponents of methods which are subversive of the fundamental principles of our life would not cause the most profound impression throughout the world and that if it did not prevent the extension of the war it might curtail that war by reinforcing those individuals or groups of individuals within certain countries who are in disagreement with the forces of destruction now at work and who are striving to divert those forces from that course of destruction to the creation of a just and stable nation.