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 Disinclination of United States to appear before Conference From the Chief of the American Representation on the Preparatory Recommendation that when first of the enforcement ques- To the Chief of the American Representation on the Preparatory Approval of plan and statement proposed in telegram No. From the Chief of the American Representation on the Preparatory Information that Commission took up question of limitation From the Chief of the American Representation on the Preparatory British preparedness to yield, under certain conditions, to To the Chief of the American Representation on the Preparatory Unacceptability to Navy Department of principle of limita- Apr. 7 (110) Apr. 9 (225) From the Chief of the American Representation on the Preparatory 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- To the Chief of the American Representation on the Preparatory Instructions to yield with regard to French method of limita- From the Chief of the American Representation on the Prepara- Belief of chairman of Commission that French and British To the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) Instructions to inform Bridgeman unofficially of American To the Chief of the American Representation on the Preparatory Opinion that discussion of other phases of draft convention From the Chief of the American Representation on the Prepara- Reassurance to Commission, after Bridgeman unexpectedly From the Chief of the American Representation on the Prepara- Delivery of statement (text printed) outlined in telegram 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.) 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- Apr. 26 (260) From the Chief of the American Representation on the Prepara- 204 May 16 (65) Aug. 1 (148) Aug. 2 (89) Oct. 20 (53) Oct. 25 Oct. 27 (76) From the Ambassador in Chile (tel.) Information, in response to instruction of April 13, that Remark by member of French Mission d' Information attend- To the Chairman of the American Delegation to the Naval Con- Statement that League of Nations, not the United States, To the Ambassador in Belgium (tel.) Instructions to telegraph suggestions as to attitude of Transmittal of League communication inviting attention (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- 210 211 From the Chief of the American Representation on the Prepara- 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. |