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No. 1. Mr. Houghton to Sir Austen Chamberlain. Sirj United States Embassy, London, 13th April, 1928. As you are aware, there has recently been exchanged between the Governments of France and the United States a series of notes dealing with the question of a possible international renunciation of war. The views of the two Governments have been clearly set forth in the correspondence between the two. The Government of the United States, as stated in its note of the 27th February, 1928, desires to see the institution of war abolished and stands ready to conclude with the French, British, German, Italian and Japanese Governments a single multilateral treaty, open to subsequent adherence by any and all other Governments, binding the parties thereto not to resort to war with one another. The Government of the French Republic, while no less eager to promote the cause of world peace and to co-operate with other nations in any practical movement towards that end, has pointed out certain considerations which, in its opinion, must be borne in mind by those Powers which are members of the League of Nations, parties to the Treaties of Locarno, parties to other treaties guaranteeing neutrality. My Government has not conceded that such considerations necessitate any modifications of its proposal for a multilateral treaty and is of the opinion that every nation in the world can, with a proper regard for its own interests, as well as for the interests of the entire family of nations, join in such a treaty. It believes, moreover, that the execution by France, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States of a treaty solemnly renouncing war in favour of the pacific settlement of international controversies would have tremendous moral effect and ultimately lead to the adherence of all the other countries of the world. The discussions which have taken place between France and the United States have thus reached a point where it seems essential, if ultimate success is to be attained, that the British, German, Italian and Japanese Governments should each have an opportunity formally to decide to what extent, if any, its existing commitments constitute a bar to its participation with the United States in an unqualified renunciation of war. In these circumstances, the Government of the United States, having reached complete agreement with the Government of the French Republic as to this procedure, has instructed me formally to transmit herewith for the consideration of His Majesty's Government, the text of M. Briand's original proposal of last June, together with copies of the notes subsequently exchanged between France and the United States on the subject of a multilateral treaty for the renunciation of war. I have also been instructed by my Government to transmit herewith for consideration a preliminary draft of a treaty representing in a general way the form of treaty which the Government of the United States is prepared to sign with the French, British, German, Italian and Japanese Governments and any other Government similarly disposed. It will be observed that the language of Articles 1 and 2 of this draft treaty is practically identical with that of the corresponding articles in the treaty which M. Briand proposed to the United States. The Government of the United States would be pleased to be informed as promptly as may be convenient whether His Majesty's Government is in a position to give favourable consideration to the conclusion of a treaty such as that transmitted herewith, and, if not, what specific modifications in the text thereof would make it acceptable. I have, &c., A. B. Houghton. Enclosure 1 in No. 1. [English Translation of M. Briand's Proposal submitted to the Secretary of State of the United States in June, 1927.] Draft of Pact of Perpetual Friendship between France and the United States. The President of the French Republic and the President of the United States of America, Equally desirous of affirming the solidarity of the French people and the people of the United States of America in their wish for peace and in their renunciation of a recourse to arms as an instrument of their policy towards each other, And having come to an agreement to consecrate in a solemn act these sentiments, as much in accord with the progress of modern democracies as with the mutual friendship and esteem of two nations that no war has ever divided, and which the defence of liberty and justice has always drawn closer, Have to this end designated for their plenipotentiaries, to wit, The President of the French Republic : The President of the United States of America : who, after having exchanged their powers, recognized in good and due form, have agreed upon the following provisions :— Article 1. The high contracting Powers solemnly declare, in the name of the French people and the people of the United States of America, that they condemn recourse to war, and renounce it respectively as an instrument of their national policy towards each other. Article 2. The settlement or the solution of all disputes or conflicts, of whatever nature or of whatever origin they may be, which may arise between France and the United States of America, shall never be sought by either side except by pacific means,

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