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Covenant of the League of Nations, the Locarno agreements or treaties guaranteeing neutrality whose character and scope cannot be modified thereby, then the differences of opinion which have appeared in the course of previous phases of the negotiation have to do more with words than with the reality of the problem facing the two Governments to-day. Hence, in accordance with the proposal contained in your note of the 11th January, which you kindly renewed in your note of the 27th February, the French Government would be prepared forthwith to join with the Government of the United States in submitting for the consideration of the Governments of Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Japan, the correspondence exchanged between France and the United States since June, 1927, and in proposing at the same time, for the assent of the four Governments, a draft agreement essentially corresponding in purpose to the original proposal of M. Briand, in the multipartite form desired by the United States with the changes of wording made necessary by the new concept; the signatory Powers of such an instrument, while not prejudicing their rights of legitimate defence within the framework of existing treaties, should make a solemn declaration condemning recourse to war as an instrument of national policy, or in other words as a means of carrying out their own spontaneous, independent polic)''. They would specifically undertake, among themselves, to refrain from any attack or invasion, and never to seek the settlement of any difference or conflict of whatsoever nature or origin which might arise between them save by pacific means. It would, however, be clearly understood that an obligation could only exist for the signatories in the event that the engagement were contracted by all States, that is to say, that the treaty, open to the accession of all Powers, would only come into force after having received universal acceptance, unless the Powers having signed this treaty or acceded thereto should agree upon its coming into force, despite certain abstentions. Finally, in case one of the contracting Powers should happen to contravene the treaty, the other contracting Powers would be automatically relieved, with respect to that Power, of the obligations contained in the treaty. It is in this form, it would seem, that the negotiation of a plan for a multilateral pact such as conceived by the American Government could be pursued with the greatest chances of success. Your Excellency may be assured, in any case, in the conduct of this negotiation of the most sincere and most complete collaboration of my Government which is always ready to associate itself without ambiguity or reservation, with any solemn and formal undertaking tending to insure, strengthen or extend the effective solidarity of the nations in the cause of peace. In responding to these ideas, whose happy inspiration cannot be gainsaid, France would feel confident that she was continuing the work to which she has never ceased to apply herself in her foreign policy, and, faithful to her previous international engagements of that nature, that she was contributing nobly as Your Excellency has said, in " promoting the great ideal of peace which the League itself has so closely at heart." Pray accept, &c., Claudel. Enclosure 3 in No. 1. Draft for Suggested Treaty. The President of the United States of America, the President of the French Republic, His Majesty the King of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions Beyond the Seas, Emperor of India, the President of the German Empire, His Majesty the King of Italy, His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, Deeply sensible that their high office imposes upon them a solemn duty to promote the welfare of mankind ; Inspired by a common desire not only to perpetuate the peaceful and friendly relations now happily subsisting between their peoples, but also to prevent war among any of the nations of the world ; Desirous by formal act to bear unmistakable witness that they condemn war as an instrument of national policy and renounce it in favour of the pacific settlement of international disputes ; Hopeful that, encouraged by their example, all the other nations of the world will join in this humane endeavour and, by adhering to the present treaty as soon as it comes into force, bring their peoples within the scope of its beneficial provisions, thus uniting the civilized nations of the world in a common renunciation of war as an instrument of their national policy ; Have decided to conclude a treaty, and, for that purpose, have appointed as their respective plenipotentiaries: The President of the United States of America : The President of the French Republic : His Majesty the King of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, Emperor of India : The President of the German Empire : His Majesty the King of Italy : His Majesty the Emperor of Japan}:

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