500.A15 a 1/41: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Houghton)
39. The following telegram has just been received from Rome:
[Here follows the text of telegram No. 24, printed on page 14.]
Sir Esme Howard advised the Department today that British reply would be delayed several days by reason of necessity of consulting Dominions, but that our proposal was being given most sympathetic consideration.
The press reports from London indicate that both Baldwin and Chamberlain13 favor acceptance but that Bridgeman14 favors a flat rejection. If through any misunderstanding the British Government should decline to participate in the suggested discussions, it would be most unfortunate. Only reason for a British refusal would appear to be fear that this Government would fail, in the forthcoming discussions, to take into full consideration special position of British Navy in regard to the French and Italian naval building programs. Unless you deem the action unwise, I should like you to find immediate opportunity to talk matter over with Chamberlain personally. If you do, you should point out to the Foreign Secretary that the President has no idea of making rigid proposals or of failing to take into consideration special interests of any country. Primary object of his suggestion is to endeavor in consultation with other great naval powers to find some means for removing danger of competitive naval building. You will recall that there was no reference to reduction of naval armament in either the memorandum or the President’s message to Congress. Limitation is what is sought. Should reductions in any dass prove to be possible they would be welcome, but reduction would not be essential to success of type of agreement which President hopes can be formulated after full discussions among the representatives of the naval powers.