500.A15 a 1/322: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Great Britain (Sterling)
138. We are transmitting to you text of Gibson’s telegram No. 27, June 23, 9 p.m., from Geneva:
[Here follows the text of the telegram printed on page 52.]
We are also repeating to you Department’s No. 11, June 24, 8 p.m., to Gibson.
Having in mind the repeated assurances of the British, both at time of Washington Conference on Limitation of Armament and since that time, that Great Britain would accept idea of parity with this country in all classes of naval vessels, the Government of the United States is surprised at attitude of British delegates at Geneva as this attitude is outlined in Gibson’s telegram under reference. See Chamberlain and inform him that in view of continuous absence of both Sir Esme Howard and Mr. Chilton from Washington there is no way to bring up these views informally here, and you have been requested, therefore, to draw their tenor to his attention in friendly spirit.