500.A15 a 1/437: Telegram
The Chairman of the American Delegation (Gibson) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 15—1:51 p.m.]
99. As you request comments in your telegram No. 45 of July 13, we have, after giving a great deal of thought to the matter, decided that as a last resort you might accept Chamberlain’s suggestion that you meet him in Geneva.
However, we are of the opinion that this suggestion may be a part of the effort now being made by the British to postpone a decision in the hope that the issue may be obscured thereby. The passing of time may be of great assistance to them in achieving this point. Do you not think that you might bring the British to some decision by stating to Chamberlain in a friendly manner your idea that it would be useless for you to meet him in Geneva; that no concessions have thus far been made by the British which would bring them within what the Japanese consider an effective limitation; that we have at Geneva a delegation to consider any reasonable proposal, if the British are prepared to make concessions; that it is useless for you to travel all the way from America merely to note the fact that they have no such proposal to offer. Such a statement might be the means of causing them to reach a quick decision as to whether they will accept responsibility for breaking up the Conference or will consent to real naval limitation.
It may also be well to suggest to Chamberlain that it would scarcely be appropriate for you to come to Geneva to endeavor to reach a solution for the British in determining differences which are blocking all progress at the present time.
[Page 108]With reference to the above, Admiral Jones and I have just received a visit from Saito who told us definitely that the Japanese refuse even to discuss a figure exceeding 315,000 tons in the combined destroyer and cruiser classes for Japan. This point, he further said, was today being brought unequivocally to the British delegation’s attention. Thus it will be up to them to decide whether they will reduce their figures to approximately 500,000 tons for the combined cruiser and destroyer classes or accept whatever consequences may result from their refusal.