Page images
PDF
EPUB

PARTICIPATION OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE WORK OF THE THIRD AND FOURTH SESSIONS OF THE PREPARATORY COMMISSION FOR THE DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE-Continued

Date and number

1927 Mar. 29 (101)

Apr. 4 (214)

Apr. 5 (109)

Apr. 5 (216)

Apr. 6 (221)

Subject

To the Chief of the American Representation on the Preparatory
Commission (tel.)

Disinclination of United States to appear before Conference
and world as originator of "American plan" calling for joint
international supervision and control of armaments for every
power except itself; suggestion that other delegations might
come forward with the double convention idea if American
delegation made a statement to the effect that if powers can
find a way to provide such supervision and control for them-
selves, eliminating it for the United States, the American dele-
gation will cooperate in trying to find a solution.

From the Chief of the American Representation on the Preparatory
Commission (tel.)

Recommendation that when first of the enforcement ques-
tions arises, American delegation make a general statement as
to inacceptability of whole idea of League machinery and au-
thority, and suggest a treaty confined to disarmament provi-
sions, having previously taken steps to insure at this point that
another delegation propose a separate protocol to enforce the
treaty between those powers believing in supervision and con-
trol.

To the Chief of the American Representation on the Preparatory
Commission (tel.)

Approval of plan and statement proposed in telegram No.
214, April 4.

From the Chief of the American Representation on the Preparatory
Commission (tel.)

Information that Commission took up question of limitation
of naval effectives, and that French and Italian delegations
intend to submit their proposals as to publicity respecting naval
building programs.

From the Chief of the American Representation on the Preparatory
Commission (tel.)

British preparedness to yield, under certain conditions, to
French thesis of limitation of naval effectives; American dele-
gation's opinion that limitation by method of limiting effectives
may not be wholly inadmissible.

To the Chief of the American Representation on the Preparatory
Commission (tel.)

Unacceptability to Navy Department of principle of limita-
tion of naval effectives.

Apr. 7 (110)

Apr. 9 (225)

From the Chief of the American Representation on the Preparatory
Commission (tel.)

Page

189

190

194

194

195

196

196

Request for instructions as to possibility of making concessions on naval effectives thesis, providing acceptable agreement can be reached with respect to limitation of tonnage.

PARTICIPATION OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE WORK OF THE THIRD AND FOURTH SESSIONS OF THE PREPARATORY COMMISSION FOR THE DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE-Continued

Date and number

1927

Subject

Page

Apr. 9 (83)

Apr. 10 (113)

Apr. 10 (227)

Apr. 11 (71)

Apr. 11 (114)

Apr. 11 (230)

Apr. 13

(234)

Apr. 13 (16)

From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.)

Memorandum by naval attaché of conversation with Bridge-
man, First Lord of the Admiralty (text printed), in which the
latter expressed hope that the United States, Great Britain,
and Japan might preserve unanimity in attitude toward ques-
tions raised at the Preparatory Commission, and suggested
that while he preferred no change in attitude of opposition
toward total tonnage or effectives limitation theories, modifica-
tions in details might be advisable if the three powers act
identically.

To the Chief of the American Representation on the Preparatory
Commission (tel.)

Instructions to yield with regard to French method of limita-
tion of naval effectives if Great Britain and Japan consent to
such limitation as one of the elements to be considered in the
limitation of naval armaments.

From the Chief of the American Representation on the Prepara-
tory Commission (tel.)

Belief of chairman of Commission that French and British
will amicably agree to short adjournment, in view of new
instructions by Great Britain to its delegate as to unaccepta-
bility of French proposal and French opinion that discussions
of draft convention will be futile until agreement is reached on
naval matter.

To the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.)

Instructions to inform Bridgeman unofficially of American
delegation's awareness of desirability that three chief naval
powers maintain united front in the current Geneva discus-
sions.

To the Chief of the American Representation on the Preparatory
Commission (tel.)

Opinion that discussion of other phases of draft convention
would be worth while, even though no agreement has been
reached on naval matter, but concurrence in adjournment if
one is desired.

From the Chief of the American Representation on the Prepara-
tory Commission (tel.)

Reassurance to Commission, after Bridgeman unexpectedly
brought up subject of forthcoming Three-Power Naval Con-
ference, of American delegation's interest in working whole-
heartedly for success of the Commission.

From the Chief of the American Representation on the Prepara-
tory Commission (tel.)

Delivery of statement (text printed) outlined in telegram
No. 214, April 4.

To the Chargé in Argentina (tel.)

Department's surprise that the Argentine delegation has apparently reversed its earlier decision to support proposal for limitation of naval armament by classes of ships, and now supports a modification of French thesis of limitation by total tonnage only; instructions to bring matter to Foreign Minister's attention informally and to seek to ascertain reasons for change. (Footnote: Similar instructions to Embassy in Chile.)

[ocr errors]

196

197

198

198

199

199

200

203

PARTICIPATION OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE WORK OF THE THIRD AND FOURTH SESSIONS OF THE PREPARATORY COMMISSION FOR THE Disarmament ConferENCE-Continued

Date and number

Subject

Page

1927 Apr. 20 (40)

From the Chargé in Argentina (tel.)

204

Confirmation by Foreign Minister of instructions to Argen-
tine delegation to accept French proposal in principle;
Chargé's belief that reversal of position is due to contemplated
Argentine naval program.

Apr. 26 (260)

From the Chief of the American Representation on the Prepara-
tory Commission (tel.)
Adjournment of Commission.

204

May 16 (65)

Aug. 1 (148)

Aug. 2 (89)

Oct. 20 (53)

Oct. 25
(144)
(L. Ń.
985)

Oct. 27 (76)

From the Ambassador in Chile (tel.)

Information, in response to instruction of April 13, that
misunderstanding of terms of French proposition had occa-
sioned change in Chilean instructions to its delegation, but
that new instructions to oppose all propositions inconsistent
with limitation by categories will go forward shortly.
From the Chairman of the American Delegation to the Naval
Conference (tel.)

Remark by member of French Mission d' Information attend-
ing Naval Conference, that if Conference should fail, meeting
of Preparatory Commission scheduled for November would
have to be postponed; suggestion to him that, until Naval
Conference has adjourned, discussion of such a contingency
would be somewhat premature.

To the Chairman of the American Delegation to the Naval Con-
ference (tel.)

Statement that League of Nations, not the United States,
should take the responsibility for the Commission's discon-
tinuance or postponement.

To the Ambassador in Belgium (tel.)

Instructions to telegraph suggestions as to attitude of
American delegation concerning formation of proposed Security
Committee by League, and possible American representation.
From the Minister in Switzerland

Transmittal of League communication inviting attention
to fact that nonmembers of League represented on Preparatory
Commission may participate in work of Security Committee
established by Assembly resolution of September 26.

(Footnote: Resolution (excerpt printed) authorizing a committee to assist Preparatory Commission by considering measures required to give all states guarantees of security and arbitration necessary to enable them to reduce armaments to a minimum in an international disarmament agreement.) From the Ambassador in Belgium (tel.)

Observation that criticism of aloofness, certain to be caused by nonparticipation of the United States in Security Committee, might be avoided by accepting invitation, on the understanding that American representative cannot join in written recommendations to League Council or Assembly because of U. S. nonmembership.

205

206

206

206

207

207

PARTICIPATION OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE WORK OF THE THIRD AND FOURTH SESSIONS OF THE PREPARATORY COMMISSION FOR THE DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE-Continued

Date and number

1927

Nov. 8 (54)

Subject

To the Ambassador in Belgium (tel.)

Page

208

Conclusion that American delegate to Preparatory Commission should be instructed not to take any part in organization of proposed Security Committee and not to accept a place on that Committee; instructions to advise opinion.

209

Nov. 10 (79)

Nov. 15 (94)

Nov. 22 (97)

Dec. 3 (5)

From the Ambassador in Belgium (tel.)

Opinion that the United States should be represented on Security Committee because its deliberations will come up in subsequent Preparatory Commission meetings, and that when strictly League questions are discussed, American representative can make his nonparticipation clear by a reminder of U. S. nonmembership in the League.

To the Minister in Switzerland (tel.)

Instructions to attend fourth session of Preparatory Commission, November 30, as chief of the American representation; to express to Commission, when it becomes necessary, reasons for U. S. Government's inability to cooperate in Security Committee's deliberations; and to advise Secretary General of intention to express views on proposed Security Committee at the forthcoming session of the Preparatory Commission.

To the Minister in Switzerland (tel.)

Further reasons for Department's decision as to nonrepre-
sentation of United States on Security Committee.
(Instructions to mail copy to Belgium.)

210

211

From the Chief of the American Representation on the Prepara-
tory Commission (tel.)

213

Termination of fourth session of Preparatory Commission; information that Security Committee will meet on February 20, and Preparatory Commission on March 15, 1928.

MEETING OF THE SPECIAL COMMISSION FOR THE PREPARATION OF A DRAFT CONVENTION ON THE PRIVATE MANUFACTURE OF ARMS AND AMMUNITION AND OF IMPLEMENTS Of War, Geneva, March 14-April 25, 1927

1926 Dec. 17

1927 Feb. 23 (21)

From the Secretary General of the League of Nations

Invitation to the United States to appoint a representative to sit on the Special Commission created by the League Council to meet in Geneva, March 14, 1927, for consideration and preparation of a final draft convention on the private manufacture of arms and ammunition and of implements of war, which might serve as a basis for an international conference.

To the Chargé in Switzerland (tel.)

Communication for League (text printed), accepting invitation, indicating willingness to enter into an international agreement for the publication of statistics on government and private manufacture of arms and ammunition, and advising that Mr. Hugh S. Gibson will represent the United States.

213

215

25834642-vol. I-4

MEETING OF THE SPECIAL COMMISSION FOR THE Preparation of a Draft CoNVENTION ON THE PRIVATE MANUFACTURE OF ARMS AND AMMUNITION AND OF Implements of War, Geneva, March 14-APRIL 25, 1927—Continued

Date and number

Subject

Page

1927 Feb. 28 (598)

Mar. 15 (177)

Apr. 21 (248)

To the Minister in Switzerland

Notification of appointment to Special Commission; detailed information as to U. S. disapproval of impractical proposals to control or supervise private arms manufacture; instructions to advise Commission of willingness to conclude a convention for the publication of statistics concerning private and government arms manufacture; belief that such an agreement, in addition to a convention to regulate traffic in arms, would be effective; further instructions to offer no objection if other powers wish to recommend a more elaborate convention, but to express U. S. right to abstain from adherence or to adhere with reservations. (Texts printed of three accompanying memoranda covering comments on preliminary draft convention, categories and statistics of proposed convention, and methods of supplying needs for military equipment.)

From the Minister in Switzerland (tel.)

Divided opinions of Commission members as to opposition or support to U. S. principle of publicity for both private and government manufacture; appointment of subcommittee to study all views in attempt to reconcile them.

From the Minister in Switzerland (tel.)

Information that delegate did not attend latest meeting of drafting committee because chairman indicated that American condition regarding publicity for governmental manufacture could not be met, but that U. S. delegate has recorded views in memorandum to chairman; belief that since other delegations are quite evenly divided, matter will be referred to June session of Council.

216

234

235

STATUS OF TREATIES CONCLUDED AT THE WASHINGTON CONFERENCE ON THE LIMITATION OF ARMAMENT, AND OF CERTAIN RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THAT CONFERENCE

1927 May 12 (Dip.

Ser. 601)

To Diplomatic and Consular Officers

Summary of status of treaties concluded at the Washington Conference on the Limitation of Armament, as regards ratification by signatory powers and adherences by nonsignatory powers; also, status of certain resolutions adopted by Conference which might be adhered to by nonparticipating powers.

236

AMERICAN REPRESENTATION AT THE WORLD ECONOMIC CONFERENCE, GENEVA, MAY 4-23, 1927

1926 Dec. 23 (1055)

From the Chargé in Switzerland

238

(L. N.

League invitation to United States to participate in International Economic Conference at Geneva, May 4, 1927.

841)

1927

Feb. 7 (11)

To the Chargé in Switzerland (tel.)

238

President's recommendation to Congress in message of February 5 (excerpt printed) that the United States participate in Conference.

« PreviousContinue »