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from unconditional assent to the Amer ic an

proposals out of loyalty to the French.

This

was a complete misconception. We were most

desirous that the French should come into the

Multilateral Pact, but the present delay was in

order to ascertain whether our own rights and

obligations under existing Treaties were affected.

The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs,

while agreeing that some of the Dominions were

inclined to be restive at the delay in replying

to the American proposals, did not consider that

the situation would be seriously aggravated by

a visit by Sir Cecil Hurst to Berlin.

After some discussion the Cabinet agreed

(a) That the Secretary of State for

Foreign Affairs should have full discretion to authorise Sir Cecil Hurst to accompany M. Fromageot to Berlin for a discussion with Herr Gauss:

(b) That the Secretary of State for

Foreign Affairs should send a telegram to the British Charge d'Affaires at Washington author- ising him to inform the Canadian representative that the delay was not due to our loyalty to the French but to our concern with British and Imperial interests and obligations:

(e) That the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs should consider the desirability of adding to his telegram referred to in (b) a passage explaining the reason for the proposed conversation between the Legal Advisers of the British, French and German Governments, as well as whether it would be desirable for the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to send an explanatory telegram on this point to the Dominions.

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