500.A15A4 General Committee/888: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Long) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 2—4:53 p.m.]
84. I saw Suvich this evening. He has recently returned from London via Brussels. He sees the condition as unchanged since my 78, April 20, 5 p.m. He reports that in Paris he had long conversations with Doumergue but was unable to make any impression on the French to change their attitude and said he really did not entirely understand their attitude unless it was due to internal political pressure. Suvich said in London they agreed to bring whatever pressure they could upon France but that England agreed with Italy that the meeting at Geneva would be futile because of the absence of Germany and that they were sure that Germany would not accept an arrangement made in their absence and put up to them for signature. He thinks the only possibility is to continue intergovernmental conversations after the adjournment at Geneva.
Suvich said that in Brussels there was more pessimism than in either of the other countries and that Belgium felt the psychological moment for an arrangement with Germany had passed when Germany agreed to take certain armament [limitations?] and indicated acceptance of other terms. He said that Belgium today foresaw the race in armaments and eventual conflict. The visit of Barthou to Rome as reported in the press is without foundation and Suvich thinks it would be inopportune at the present time.
The Italians have no plan except to continue conversations after the adjournment of an unsuccessful meeting at Geneva.
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