"The Disarmament Conference was in reality a duel between France
and Germany. The rest is of second-rate importance. The whole
question hinges on rearmament. The Germans do not want disarmament and
want the right to rearm, and that will be the ultimate result. There
will be no disarmament and Germany will re-arm legitimately or
illegitimately.
The policy of the Soviet Union is unchangeable.
There are two fundamental principles:
i. Not to belong to any group of
Nations.
ii. No alliances.
"We want to be left in peace, to carry out our internal constructive
programme. Any war – even a war in which we were not involved – would
stop our Plan.
"Up to the advent of Hitler I believed it possible that Europe would
remain peaceful and that the only danger of war lay in the East.
"There, Manchukuo is a Japanese province and Japan wants to go further.
This expansion may lead to a conflict with the United States on one hand and
with the U.S.S.R. on the other hand, if the expansion is towards our
frontier.
"The refusal of Japan to sign the pact of non-aggression with us means
that war with the Soviet Union is within the practical plans of Japan.
In this respect we must admire the sincerity of Japan. They don’t veil
their intentions. They say: "We don’t want to tie our hands. We
may attack you."
"That’s how I regarded it a few months ago. But now I am not so
sure that something may not happen in the West, also. I wonder whether
Hitler is in a position to control his forces or even to control himself.
He may bring about conflict with Poland.
"I fear also that something may happen between Jugoslavia [sic] and
Italy. But that is less likely. Mussolini is not an adventurer.
"The position in the Far East can only be altered by a change in
American policy. But I am not optimistic about U.S. recognition.
Some people want Roosevelt to have preliminary negotiations which may put
off recognition for a long time. The conditions put before us by the
U.S. Government years ago were not accepted. We are still less
inclined today to accept conditions.
"Last year we improved our conditions with France. The present
French Government would really like to have a rapprochement which I regard
as quite possible. It is, however, ridiculous to talk of a renaissance
of the Franco-Russian Alliance. We can have good relations with France
and also with Germany at the same time.
"If Hitler has a bargain with France or with England, he will turn
against us. So we must keep well in with France.
"We have always been opposed to the League of Nations, because we regard
it as being limited to the Big Powers. Naturally we cannot submit to
decisions taken only by the Big Powers. The little nations have little
to say there.
"The majority of the Governments in the League of Nations have no
relations with us. Therefore we cannot submit to international
tribunals.
"Now the Four Powers want to concentrate the power in their hands.
"We have no relations with the independent movement of the Soviets in
China. I do not know their ideas. Surely it is not a Communist
but a democratic movement which is against the policy of the Chinese
Generals, who only look after their own interests. It is more of a
national movement to unite the whole country. We have no interest in
China. (i.e. internally)
"Revolution will be the result of a great war, but I do not think it
will come otherwise.
M. Litvinoff asked me to treat this as particularly confidential.
"The greater the pressure the less chance there is of my helping,
because we cannot give way to pressure.
"Sir Esmond Ovey has been too tactless and too bullying. He is
seeking a quarrel and has as his aim the breaking off of diplomatic
relations.
"He used to be friendly, but ever since he had to pay for goods in
foreign currency he has turned against us. He used to pay in roubles
for all supplies dirt cheap on the black market from Poland and other
places. Indeed the diplomats were the chief source of income for the
black market speculators.
"We said that Sir Esmond and the diplomats should pay in foreign currency
and he got very angry.
"We cannot have his bullying, tactless way. He is a very
unfortunate representative.
"The men will not be shot. There will be a trial. The matter
has been taken out the hands of the O.G.P.U. and will be dealt with by the
Supreme Court.
"Please give my respects and regards to Mr. Lloyd George. I always
enjoyed being with him and always admired him. I always followed with
great interest his activities when I was in London as an émigré. I
remember writing an article with great enthusiasm about the 1909 Insurance
Scheme.
"I study his speeches carefully and admire his boldness. What
politicians lack now is boldness. Diplomacy has been vegetating.
There has been no bold step on the part of any statesman.
"I read Mr Lloyd George’s articles. I do not mind his criticism of
the Conservatives.
Again, I send him my respects and regards."
Gareth Jones
Berlin March, 27th 1933 [date of letter sent from Berlin to LLG]