800.30/11: Telegram
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Harvey) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:50 p.m.]
990. I have just left Briand. I presented your letter which greatly pleased him. I raised the question of submarines and light craft. He said that his Parliament had adopted a program a month ago making provision for both capital ships, submarines and light craft but had held up appropriations for capital ships in view of the Conference. The credits for submarines and light craft however were [Page 142] voted at that time. To my inquiry as to approximately the number and size of such vessels he replied that he could not give definite answer but at the time the program was deemed the minimum of their necessities. To my further inquiry as to whether this minimum would now be considered as fixed and final he said not necessarily. That it was still a subject for proper and reasonable consideration. He added that as a result of the credits for smaller ships having been voted the margin for bargaining as regards their tonnage would be far less than in the case of the capital ship[s], credits for which had not been voted. That is to say that inasmuch as the credits [for] the submarines and light craft had been voted by Parliament reduction by the delegation to the Conference would be more difficult. I remarked to him that I had heard from an English source that the French delegation proposed to demand a tonnage of 90,000 for submarines and over 300,000 for other craft. He rejoined that it was characteristic of old sailors to talk large and that Admiral de Bon was an old sailor. I suggested to him the thought that in consideration of your appreciation of his prompt acquiescence with respect to capital ships you would be in a better position to act so far as possible conformably to his wishes if you personally could have from him confidentially an approximation of his minimum. He said he understood perfectly and would be happy to comply. He would communicate immediately with the Minister of Marine in Paris and would furnish to me tomorrow formally a reply which I might send to you for your confidential information. He leaves for Paris at 2 o’clock tomorrow.
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