500.A15 a 1/437: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chairman of the American Delegation (Gibson)
50. Your No. 99, July 15, 3 p.m. I do not have any intention of going to Geneva and telegraphed to Houghton at noon as follows, in accordance with your suggestion:
“165. If any possible feeling on Chamberlain’s part that the Secretary of State may be willing to enter Conference in last moment attempt to effect settlement should cause him to delay search for some real compromise, I think that you should make plain to him in friendly way that I do not foresee any circumstances which would make advisable my going to Geneva, that I see no necessity for going, and that I do not intend to go. Question is now reduced to simple proposition, it seems to me, as to whether British can reduce their figures on total, cruiser tonnage in order to enable the other two delegations to find necessary basis for real limitation agreement [Page 109] which would be acceptable in their countries. The American proposition was very carefully considered and was worked out in conferences between Navy Department and Department of State, and American delegation has already expressed its willingness to agree to much larger total tonnage than either the American or Japanese Government believes essential. If Great Britain can, for her part, make concessions, the American delegation has full authority to act.
I have informed British Ambassador here that I am cabling you along these lines.”