862.20/791: Telegram

The Chargé in France (Marriner) to the Secretary of State

261. The six principal demands made by Hitler during his conversations with Simon and which appeared in yesterday’s Daily Telegraph are generally reprinted and accepted here as being substantially correct. The effect thereof on French opinion is for the moment one of resignation. The fact that Germany at present does not consider that her interests can be served in a system of collective security has caused neither surprise nor disappointment. The consensus of opinion appears to be that the Berlin conversations, the purport of which was at first viewed with suspicion, have in fact served a useful purpose in that they have placed the German cards squarely on the table. [Page 318] The emphasis laid on the “Russian menace” by Germany is not taken seriously and the hope is expressed that the Berlin visit may have finally opened the British Government’s eyes.

Marriner