after sir austen chamberlain became british foreign secretary, he wanted a british guarantee to france and belgium as the anglo-american guarantee had fallen due to the united states' refusal to ratify the treaty of versailles. stresemann later wrote: "chamberlain had never been our friend. his first act was to attempt to restore the old entente through a three-power alliance of england, france and belgium, directed against germany. german diplomacy faced a catastrophic situation". stresemann conceived the idea that germany would guarantee her western borders and pledged never to invade belgium and france again, along with a guarantee from britain that they would come to germany's aid if attacked by france. germany was in no position at the time to attack, as stresemann wrote to the crown prince: "the renunciation of a military conflict with france has only a theoretical significance, in so far as there is no possibility of a war with france". stresemann negotiated the locarno treaties with britain, france, italy, and belgium. on the third day of negotiations stresemann explained germany's demands to the french foreign secretary, aristide briand. as stresemann recorded, briand "almost fell off his sofa, when he heard my explanations". stresemann said that germany alone should not make sacrifices for peace; european countries should cede colonies to germany; the disarmament control commission should leave germany; the anglo-french occupation of the rhineland should be ended; and britain and france should disarm as germany had done. the treaties were signed in october 1925 at locarno. germany officially recognized the post-world war i western border for the first time, and was guaranteed peace with france, and promised admission to the league of nations and evacuation of the last allied occupation troops from the rhineland. germany's eastern borders were guaranteed to poland only by france, not by a general agreement.