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 Mar. 29

(101)

189

190

Apr. 4 (214)

194

Apr. 5

(109)

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.
From

the Chief of the American Representation on the Preparatory

Commission (tel.)
Request for instructions as to possibility of making conces-
sions on naval effectives thesis, providing acceptable agreement
can be reached with respect to limitation of tonnage.

194

Apr. 5

(216)

195

Apr. 6

(221)

Apr. 7

196

(110)

196

Apr. 9 (225)

PARTICIPATION OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE WORK OF THE THIRD AND FOURTH

SESSIONS OF THE PREPARATORY COMMISSION FOR THE DISARMAMENT CONFERENCEContinued

Date and number

Subject

Page

1927 Apr. 9

(83)

196

197

Apr. 10 (113)

Apr. 10

(227)

198

198

Apr. 11

(71)

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.)

199

Apr. 11 (114)

199

Apr. 11 (230)

200

Apr. 13 (234)

203

Apr. 13

(16)

PARTICIPATION OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE WORK OF THE THIRD AND FOURTA

SESSIONS OF THE PREPARATORY COMMISSION FOR THE DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE-Continued

Date and number

Subject

Page

1927 Apr. 20

(40)

204

204

Apr. 26 (260)

205

May 16

(65)

206

Aug. 1

(148)

206

Aug. 2

(89)

From the Chargé in Argentina (tel.)

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.
From the Chief of the American Representation on the Prepara-

tory Commission (tel.)
Adjournment of Commission.
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.

Oct. 20

(53)

206

207

Oct. 25

(144) (L. N. 985)

207

Oct. 27

(76)

PARTICIPATION OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE WORK OF THE THIRD AND FOURTH

SESSIONS OF THE PREPARATORY COMMISSION FOR THE DISARMAMENT CONFER-
ENCE—Continued

Date and
number

Subject

Page

208

209

210

1927
Nov. 8 To the Ambassador in Belgium (tel.)
(54) Conclusion that American delegate to Preparatory Commis-

sion 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.
Nov. 10
079 50 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 representa-
tive can make his nonparticipation clear by a reminder of U.S.

nonmembership in the League.
Nov.

Minister in Switzerland (.)
sion, 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 Com-
mittee's deliberations; and to advise Secretary General of
intention to express views on proposed Security Committee at

the forthcoming session of the Preparatory Commission.
Nov. 22 To the Minister in Switzerland (tel.)
(97) Further reasons for Department's decision as to nonrepre-

sentation of United States on Security Committee.

(Instructions to mail copy to Belgium.)
Dec. 3 From the Chief of the American Representation on the Prepara-
(5)

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

211

213

MEETING OF THE SPECIAL COMMISSION FOR THE PREPARATION OF A DRAFT CON-
VENTION ON THE PRIVATE MANUFACTURE OF ARMS AND AMMUNITION AND OF
IMPLEMENTS OF WAR, GENEVA, March 14-APRIL 25, 1927

1926 Dec. 17

213

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.

1927 Feb. 23

(21)

215

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.

MEETING OF THE SPECIAL COMMISSION FOR THE PREPARATION OF A DRAFT CON

VENTION 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)

216

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 govern-
ment 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 memo-
randa 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.

234

Mar. 15

(177)

235

Apr. 21

(248)

Status OF TREATIES CONCLUDED AT THE WASHINGTON CONFERENCE ON THE

LIMITATION OF ARMAMENT, AND OF CERTAIN RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THAT CONFERENCE

236

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.

AMERICAN REPRESENTATION AT THE WORLD ECONOMIC CONFERENCE, GENEVA,

May 4-23, 1927

238

From the Chargé in Switzerland

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

1926 Dec. 23

(1055) (L. N.

841)

1927 Feb. 7

(11)

238

To the Chargé in Switzerland (tel.)

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