740.00119 European War 1939/55: Telegram

The Chargé in Germany (Kirk) to the Secretary of State

1650. My No. 1545, October 2, 8 p.m. and subsequent confidential telegram.84 Following is an account of the origin here of a report which has been circulated abroad as to mediation on the part of the United States in the present conflict: On Friday evening following Hitler’s Reichstag speech Schmidt, Head of the Foreign Press Section of the Foreign Office, invited press representatives from the following countries to a special conference—Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States. Schmidt began by emphasizing that the importance of Hitler’s speech might be considered as residing quite as much in the fact that it was meant to be an appeal to the neutrals as it was to the belligerents and then developed the idea of the service that a great neutral which he at first named as Italy might render in offering mediation in the present conflict. Schmidt did not on his own initiative mention the United States in this connection but, in reply to a question as to whether Hitler would accept an offer on the part of President Roosevelt to propose an armistice or truce and the opening of negotiations for a general peace, is reported to have said that Germany most certainly would accept such an offer. Schmidt also intimated that Germany might be willing to take part in a conference at a place “far removed from the scene of conflict” which certain press representatives thought might mean Washington.

Kirk
  1. Not printed.