711.5212Anti-War/7
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Spain (Hammond)
Sir: On June 14, 1928, the Spanish Ambassador called upon me to say that he had seen something in the press that we had invited Belgium, Poland and Czechoslovakia to become parties to the multilateral treaty. I told him that was incorrect; that we had not communicated any invitations to those governments or any other governments except the five Powers. I said that the notes exchanged between France and the United States indicated that France desired other countries to be parties and that I had said we would be perfectly willing to have all the parties to the Locarno treaties parties to this treaty. I said that in my speech but that I had not communicated with these governments directly. I had understood that they were perfectly willing to sign and that I thought quite likely the European Powers would desire all of the parties to the Locarno treaty made parties to this treaty as original signatories and possibly also some of the other European states. He wanted to know if we wished Spain and I said we would be very glad to have Spain sign at any time that she desired to do so. I gave him a copy of all the correspondence.
On June 28 the Ambassador called again and asked if I would give him a copy of my last note and the form of treaty. I gave him two copies.
He said that his country would rather come in as an original party and not under the general omnibus clause that it might be adhered to by any country after it became effective. He asked to whom the communication had been sent and I called his attention to the list of countries at the head of the note and explained to him that these nations had been asked because they were parties to the Locarno treaties. I said if Spain wants to sign this treaty as it is without further negotiation for him to find out confidentially and [Page 106] let me know and I had no doubt the other countries would be glad to have Spain sign. Certainly the United States would, but I would like to know in advance whether his country would sign or whether it simply opened up another country for negotiations. He said he would find out but he intimated that his Government would sign.
I am [etc.]